Morphology of Adult Leaves in the Cyclanthaceae (Monocotyledoneae)

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Abstract
Cyclanthaceous adult leaves consist of a lamina, sheath, frequently a petiole and sometimes a transition zone between the petiole and lamina. Sheath margins may terminate in auricles or stipules. A hastula or hastula-like structure may develop at the base of the lamina. Laminae are undivided (Ludovia spp.) or divided (all other taxa studied). Each lamina exhibits tissue pad(s) (except in Ludovia spp.), 1 or 3 costae and, in the Carludovicoideae, adaxial and abaxial folds. Tricostate leaves develop in Cyclanthus and either consistently or intermittently in 5 genera of Carludovicoideae. The number of abaxial folds per lamina varies from 2 (Sphaeradenia crocea) to 52 (Carludovica palmata). In carludovicoid laminae, major veins and cell files of the epidermis and mesophyll extend parallel to folds, and where present, ridges. Folds, ridges, major veins and cell files are oriented differently in laminae of Ludovia spp. from those of other carludovicoid taxa studied, and, in the nonplicate laminae of Cyclanthus, major veins and cell files are arranged like those in laminae of Carludovicoideae other than Ludovia. These differences in arrangement explain why undivided and divided laminae develop in Ludovia and all other taxa, respectively. Cyclanthaceous laminae become divided because of tearing of tissue and in Carludovicoideae, other than Ludovia, tearing permits expanding laminae to become more planar. The phylogeny of the Cyclanthaceae and the degree of their relationship to the Palmae are discussed.

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