Morphology and symmetry of the vegetative parts of Smilax auriculata (Smilacaceae)

Abstract

Smilax auriculata produces a subterranean rhizome system and an aerial vegetative branching system. Three intergrading types of stems (types 1, 2, and 3) compose the aerial branching system; these types are identified primarily according to prickle concentration, but also differ from one another in additional ways. Type-3 stems are determinate and either proleptic or precocious. Between growing seasons a foliage leaf of a type-3 stem may subtend either a solitary vegetative bud (or an expanded vegetative branch) or an inflorescence superposed over a vegetative bud (or expanded vegetative branch). Occasionally, an inflorescence terminates a type-3 stem. Whereas, rhizomes exhibit solely scale leaves, the aerial vegetative branching system manifests scale leaves, transitional leaves, and foliage leaves. On many type-3 stems the foliage leaves become oriented skyward, by bending of their leaf sheaths and petioles. The aerial vegetative branching system manifests bilateral symmetry and mirror-image symmetry. The inflorescence is a pedunculate umbel. The peduncle culminates in a torus which bears a peripheral whorl of bracts, centripetally situated bracteoles, and pedicellate flowers. Type-1 stems exhibit numerous prickles, which vary from unbranched to branched and from solitary to basally connate in rows.

Morphology and identification of the seedlings of selected woody/semi-woody species of dicotyledons sensu lato growing wild in South Florida (U.S.A.). Part II. Species with hypogeal germination

“…Also, two of the presently studied specimens of Erythrina herbacea were grown in cultivation and obtained as gifts. Collecting was undertaken largely during fieldwork focused on other investigations (Wilder 2020;Wilder & McCombs 2006;Wilder & Roche 2009;Wilder & Barry 2012;Wilder et al 2014Wilder et al , 2021Wilder & Thomas 2016;Wilder & McCollom 2018). Collection numbers and collection dates are cited separately for each species, in the Results section of this paper.…”