Floral anatomy and systematic position of the genus Balanites

Singh†, B. P. and Kaur, I. and Gauchan, D. P. (2002) Floral anatomy and systematic position of the genus Balanites. Acta Botanica Hungarica, 44 (1-2). pp. 137-143. ISSN 0236-6495

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Abstract

A pedicel contains a ring of conjoint vascular bundles. Ten traces diverge out from the ring. Of these, five are sepal dorsals and the other five are compound, each splitting up tangentially to give rise to two marginal traces of adjacent sepals and a petal dorsal. The receptacular stele gives out ten staminal traces in two whorls of five each. Around the base of the ovary the disc is with prominent vascular supply. The receptacular stele finally consists of only five bundles which become completely used up in furnishing the vascular supply of the gynoecium. The placentation is anatomically and topographically axile. There has been an acrimonious debate regarding the systematic position of the genus Balanites. It was originally placed in the Zygophyllaceae then shifted to the Simaroubaceae and finally a separate family Balanitaceae was created. Retention of the genus Balanites in the Zygophyllaceae is supported on the basis of floral anatomy, embryology, taxonomy and pollen morphology.

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