Glossary Details – Lecythidaceae

Glossary Details:

Title: Botanical line illustration of Grias purpuripetala. Drawing by B. Angell.

Description: Grias purpuripetala. A. Leaf next to the lead collector. Note that the leaf is nearly two meters long. B. Detail of part of the abaxial leaf blade surface. Note the carinate midrib. C. Part of the stem showing the leaf attachments. The inset shows a cross-section of the petiole at its juncture with the leaf blade. D. Apex of the plant showing a leaf flush. The newly expanded leaves are subtended by conspicuous cataphylls. E. Inflorescence with one flower in bud and two very immature fruits from which the petals and androecium have fallen. Note the basal bracteoles and that the calyx-lobes are irregularly split. F. Apical view of a flower showing four petals and the well-developed staminal tube of the androecium. G. Medial longitudinal section of the androecium showing the well-developed tube and the re-flexed anthers. The inset shows the well-developed connective, one of the two apiculae at the apex of the connective, and one of the two small thecae barely visible on the lower part of the anther. H. Ovary in medial longitudinal (above) and cross (below) sections. Note the small bracteole on the right side of the ovary, the low, intra-staminal disc surrounding the style, and the 3-locular ovary (see discussion). I. Seed (left) and fruit (right). Note that the seed is surrounded by a very thin testa that separates from the seed proper and that the fruit is very slight ridged, at least when it is dried. A-H, Angell et al. 282; I, Franco et al. 4925.

Term:

Cataphyll

Definition:

Scale-like bract inserted toward the base of a newly expanded vegetative or reproductive shoot.

Notes:

In neotropical Lecythidaceae, cataphylls are found under newly formed inflorescences, flushes of vegetative growth, and along the stems of seedlings.