Systematic Occurrence of Anastomosing Laticifers in Araceae

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Abstract
Results of a systematic survey of the occurrence of anastomosing, articulated lacticifers in leaves and inflorescences in 75 genera of Araceae affirm the signfiicance of lacticifers in the systematics of Araceae. Anastomosing laticifers are kimited to subfamily Colocasiodeae and Zomicarpa (Aroideae). This indicates that Zomicarpa may have affinities with the Colocasioidea, since it has anastomosing lacticifers. Articulated, nonanastomosing latiocifers occur in Calla, Orotium, Philodendroideae, monoecious Lasioideae except Culcasia, and most Aroideae. Lacticifers are absent from hermaphroditic Lasiodeae. The results support recent revisions of the systematics of Araceae that (1) segregate tribe Lasieae fromm monoecious Lasioideae, (2) transfer Protarum and Scaphispatha to Colocasioideae from Aroideae, (3) remove Ariopsis from Colocasioideae, and (4) recognize Colocasioideae as a monophyletic group.