Variability of Embryos in Subtribe Myrtinae (Myrtaceae)

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Abstract
Embryos are quite variable in subtribe Myrtinae (Myrtaceae). Observations of anatomy and germination indicate that differences are mainly due to degrees of swelling of the hypocotyl. Swollen hypocotyls have enlarged cells filled with starch. Misinterpretation of embryo structure of genera with swollen hypocotyls has led previous workers to recognize formal taxonomic entities that we do not accept. Xanthomyrtus Diels, which has been assigned to Myrtinae (subfam. Myrtoideae), has an embryo unlike any other in the subtribe. It seems to be most similar to genera of Leptospermoideae. It is hypothesized that the three predominant embryo structures in Myrteae are derived from a small ancestral embryo and are independent adaptations for increasing the amount of stored food in the embryo. Marlieriopsis eggersii Kiaerskou is transferred to Blepharocalyx Berg.