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Tobe, H., Carlquist, S. & Iltis, H. H.: Reproductive anatomy and relationships of Setchellanthus caeruleus (Setchellanthaceae). – Taxon 48: 277-283. 1999. – ISSN 0040-0262.
Floral, seed, and fruit anatomy of the unispecific Mexican genus Setchellanthus are described. The genus has floral features that are characteristic of some traditionally defined Capparales or close allies of an expanded order Capparales, viz., a (5-)6(-7)-merous flower with a 3-merous gynoecium and an androecium comprising (5-)6(-7) fascicles of stamens that develop centrifugally; a short androgynophore and well-developed gynophore; a 3-loculed gynoecium with a 3-lobed style and 3 conduplicate valves that separate from the vascular placental column at maturity much as do the valves of Cleome or Brassicaceae. Setchellanthus, however, has straight seeds with a spatulate embryo and a non-fibrous exotegmen; it lacks the reniform seeds with fibrous exotegmen characteristic of the core Capparales. Vascular bundles in the fruit wall are amphivasal and show an extensive secondary growth that produces tracheids like those of the secondary xylem of stems; bordered pits are present in the wall of the inner epidermis cells. The floral and seed anatomy as well as the distinctive fruit anatomy support a position of Setchellanthus that is near-basal to the core Capparales.
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Effective publication date: May 1999