Fruit surface micromorphology of species of <I>Andropogon</I> L. (Poaceae) from Brazil

Abstract

An analysis of the fruit surface observed in Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) of 17 species of Andropogon L. (Poaceae) that occur in Brazil is presented. The variation observed is related to the primary and secondary sculptures of the fruit surface, especially the thickness and sinuousness of the longitudinal anticlinal walls, the presence of projections on these walls, and differences on the surface of the periclinal walls. The majority of taxa showed a uniform ornamentation pattern, with undulated thin longitudinal walls, and smooth periclinal walls. However, some species showed exclusive characteristics, which differentiate them from the others. The taxonomic importance of these characteristics is discussed and illustrations of them are provided.