Term:
Ligular sulcus
Ligular sulcus
Definition:
A groove or furrow close to the point where the androecial hood begins, i.e., between the appendix-free ligule and the androecial hood.
A groove or furrow close to the point where the androecial hood begins, i.e., between the appendix-free ligule and the androecial hood.
Notes:
In neotropical Lecythidaceae not enough is known about how many species have this character and how much variation it has, i.e., does the ligular sulcus appear in some but not in other individuals of the same species and is it consistent within individuals of a species. There are also different degrees of development in this feature, e.g., Eschweilera cyathiformis has a well-developed ligular sulcus whereas that of Eschweilera micrantha is scarcely developed. The ligular sulcus is developed to such an extent in all species of Couratari that is is called the extermal flap.
In neotropical Lecythidaceae not enough is known about how many species have this character and how much variation it has, i.e., does the ligular sulcus appear in some but not in other individuals of the same species and is it consistent within individuals of a species. There are also different degrees of development in this feature, e.g., Eschweilera cyathiformis has a well-developed ligular sulcus whereas that of Eschweilera micrantha is scarcely developed. The ligular sulcus is developed to such an extent in all species of Couratari that is is called the extermal flap.