Overview

This volume treats the microscopic anatomy of vegetative organs of two monocotyledonous flowering plant families. Observations are included for Acorus, sole genus of Acoraceae, and nearly all of the 106 genera of the family Araceae, now including the duckweeds as the subfamily Lemnoideae. The introduction reviews all aspects of morphology and anatomy of the families and a variety of other topics including biogeography, the paleobotanical record, economic uses, chemistry and toxic properties. Highlights of the vegetative anatomical literature are reviewed from about 1000 references included in the bibliography. A chapter illustrated by photomicrographic figures defines the characters, character states and their text codes.Next follows the heart of the work, parallel anatomical descriptions of the genera. They are accompanied by 855 light photomicrographic figures, arranged in 115 plates that illustrate nearly every genus. Following each tribal or generic treatment is a list of specimens examined and taxonomic notes highlighting useful comparisons. Each treatment concludes with references to anatomical works treating that genus, and selected additional references to non-anatomical literature. The order of generic treatments of Araceae is based on a revised classification that harmonizes the anatomical data with current findings from molecular genetics. Other recent family infrastructural schemes are presented for comparison. There is a discussion of evolutionary trends and systematics, and a summary of current conclusions regarding the appropriate ordinal position of the family.Following the anatomical presentation are lists of genera with certain diagnostic features. As with the generic descriptions, the lists are comprehensive for leaf and petiole materials and less so for stem and root tissues.

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9780198545354

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Reviews

This quarter century effort by Rich Keating has produced a work that has been long awaited but well worth waiting for. It will rank as one of the greatest achievements in aroid literature and owing to its breadth and detail will be valuable to a broad audience. Plant Systematics and Evolution The comprehensive literature cited at the end of the book is probably the most complete list of literature ever published on anatomy and related subjects for Araceae and Acoraceae, making it an important feature of the book. Plant Systematics and Evolution ... long awaited ... wealth of information. Plant Systematics and Evolution ... richly illustrated ... Immensely useful lists of genera ... it has taken decades to complete this volume, but the delays have been fully compensated by rich rewards ... excellent. IAWA Journal

Author Information

Richard C. Keating Research Associate, Missouri Botanical Garden Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Fellow of the Illinois State Academy of Science, elected 1984. Biographical listings [which existed at one time and are possibly still extant]: American Men and Women of Science, Men of Achievement, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in Science and Engineering. Sigma Xi Research Honorary Society: Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville Outstanding Research Award, 1984

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