COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF VEGETATIVE ANATOMY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE GESNERIACEAE OF SRI-LANKA

An anatomical and morphological survey has been made of all 13 species of Gesneriaceae in Sri Lanka. Descriptions have been prepared of the leaves, petioles, and stems. Aeschyanthus ceyianica (Trichosporeae) has been found to closely resemble other species in the genus. Anatomically, Didymocarpui and Chirita are apparently closely allied to each other within the tribe Didymocarpeae, while Chamnpionia has several distinctive and interesting features. Rhynchoghssum and Epithema, both assigned to the tribe Klugieae, are less allied anatomically than they appear morphologically. Rhynchotechum (Cyrtandreae) shows features in keeping with its distinct taxonomic position. The possible significance of this type of comparative study is discussed. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved