Leaf anatomy of the South African Danthonieae (Poaceae). XIV. Pentameris dregeana

R. P. Ellis
1986 Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation  
Transverse sections and abaxial epidermal scrapes of leaf blades of Pentameris dregeana Stapf, both of herbarium specimens and of freshly fixed material, were examined by light microscopy. The anatomical structure was found to be basically uniform in a representative sample. A few somewhat atypical specimens, how'ever, showed epidermal similarities with Pentaschistis colorata (Steud.) Stapf. A comparison with other danthonoid grasses revealed some specimens identified as Pentaschistis colorata
more » ... ar. polytricha Stapf which resemble Pentameris dregeana very closely in leaf anatomy. A definite gradation in leaf anatomy between Pentameris dregeana and Penta­schistis colorata appears to exist and. consequently, it is proposed that the affinities of Pentameris dregeana lie with this group of Pentaschistis species rather than close to any of the other Pentameris species.
doi:10.4102/abc.v16i2.1097 fatcat:xggnxyxxqbbzxnzhyojovzv2b4