Achlyphila

  • Authority

    Carlquist, Sherwin J. 1960. Anatomy of Guayana Xyridaceae: Abutboda, Orectanthe and Achtyplola. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 63-117.

  • Family

    Xyridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Achlyphila

  • Discussion

    The bracts in this plant (fig. 66) are thin, papery inflorescence bracts, not entirely comparable with any of the above because of the distinctive inflorescences of this plant. The three bundles are each ensheathed with a fibrous bundle sheath.

    Discussion.

    Obvious distinctive modes of bract structure occur in the taxa mentioned above. The lack of mesophyll differentiation in Orectanthe and Achlyphila bracts is intersting, for considerable differentiation occurs in comparable bracts of Abolboda. In Abolboda, particular types of bract structure (depending at least in part on the location of the bract on the plant and the level of section Avithin a bract) suggests caution in the formulation of differences among the species of Abolboda in bract anatomy.

    SEPALS

    With the exception of Achljiphila, all the taxa studied here have keeled sepals. Some Xyridaecae, such as Orectanthe, have both keeled and non-keeled sepals. The non-keeled sepals were found to have approximately the same structure as the winged portion of a keeled sepal (compare, for example, figures 21 and 64), so that separate descriptions are not necessary. The chief variation of significance is the relative distribution and presence of sclerenchyma and (if present) chlorenchyma. To a large extent, the distribution of these tissues in comparison with non-photosynthetic parenchyma cells provides distinctions of taxonomic importance. The patterns are best summarized in terms of species.