Fruit Morphology and Anatomy of the Spondioid Anacardiaceae.

Abstract

The Spondioideae subfamily of the Anacardiaceae is widely distributed today in tropical regions. Recent molecular phylogenetic investigations indicate that the Spondioideae are not monophyletic, but rather comprise at least two separate clades that are difficult to distinguish using vegetative and floral characters. Nevertheless, the syndrome of fruit characters traditionally used in identifying the subfamily is useful in discriminating genera of these clades and for identification of both modern and fossil anacardiaceous fruits. Here we document the morphology and anatomy of endocarps for representatives of all extant genera traditionally treated as Spondioideae, plus two genera that have been placed close to them in molecular investigations, Buchanania and Campnosperma. All genera are characterized by drupe-like fruits with sclerified stones that vary from uni- to multilocular depending on the genus. Germination modes vary throughout the Spondioideae. Some have characteristic plug-like opercula; others have recessed bilabiate germination valves, and still others open by apical flaps or simple slits. Although most currently recognized genera appear to be monophyletic, fruit morphology indicates that current circumscriptions of Cyrtocarpa, Poupartia and Tapirira are in need of revision.