The multiple fuzzy origins of woodiness within Balsaminaceae using an integrated approach. Where do we draw the line?

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The family Balsaminaceae is essentially herbaceous, except for some woodier species that can be described as 'woody' herbs or small shrubs. The family is nested within the so-called balsaminoid clade of Ericales, including the exclusively woody families Tetrameristaceae and Marcgraviaceae, which is sister to the remaining families of the predominantly woody order. A molecular phylogeny of Balsaminaceae is compared with wood anatomical observations to find out whether the woodier species are derived from herbaceous taxa (i.e. secondary woodiness), or whether woodiness in the family represents the ancestral state for the order (i.e. primary woodiness).

Methods

Wood anatomical observations of 68 Impatiens species and Hydrocera triflora, of which 47 are inclu

SUBMITTER: Lens F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3286280 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature