Microtea

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Microtea
Systematics
Class : Bedecktsamer (Magnoliopsida)
Eudicotyledons
Nuclear eudicotyledons
Order : Clove-like (Caryophyllales)
Family : Microteaceae
Genre : Microtea
Scientific name of the  family
Microteaceae
Shepherd. & Borsch
Scientific name of the  genus
Microtea
Sw.

Microtea is the only genus of the plant family of Microteaceae within the order of caryophyllales (Caryophyllales). The approximately 9 to 12 species are common in the Neotropic .

description

Vegetative characteristics

Microtea styles are annual , herbaceous plants that rarely in the lower part woody . They usually reach heights of about 25 and a maximum of 60 centimeters. The upright or ascending stems are richly branched. The alternate arranged on the stem leaves are sessile. The simple, bare leaf blades are lanceolate to ovate-oval.

Generative characteristics

The sessile or stalked flowers are arranged in racemose , thyrsen-shaped inflorescences . The bracts are elliptical, smooth and membrane-like. If pre- leaves are present then they are arranged in pairs and are lanceolate, membrane-like and as long as the flowers or shorter.

The relatively small, hermaphroditic are radial symmetry . The inflorescence consists of five, more rarely four, uniformly shaped elliptical or oblong-elliptical bracts. There are five to eight stamens . The ovary is single-chambered. There are three to five separate styluses .

Prickly achenes are formed as the fruit . The seeds are kidney-shaped to almost spherical with a black, hard seed coat .

distribution

The species of the genus Microtea occur in Central America and large parts of South America , as well as in the Antilles .

Systematics

The first description of the genus Microtea was 1788 Olof Swartz in Nova Genera et Species Plantarum seu prodromus , Volume 4, page 53. Type species is Microtea debilis Sw.

Since this genre was established in 1788, its systematic position has been controversial. It was in its own subfamily Microteoideae either the pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae) or the Chenopodiaceae (this is part of the Amaranthaceae family ). For the genus Microtea 2009 due was molecular biology research their own family of Microteaceae erected .

A total of 21 species have been described within the genus Microtea , but since there are no studies examining the genus as a whole, it is unknown how many accepted species exist. Their number is estimated at around 9 to 12. Here is a selection:

proof

  • Bastian Schäferhoff, Kai F. Müller, Thomas Borsch: Caryophyllales phylogenetics: disentangling Phytolaccaceae and Molluginaceae and description of Microteaceae as a new isolated family . In: Willdenowia - Annals of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem . tape 39 , no. 2 , 2009, p. 209–228 , doi : 10.3372 / wi.39.39201 (English).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Microtea at Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, accessed on August 23, 2017.

Web links