Leaf anatomy of the South African Danthonieae (Poaceae). V. Merxmuellera macowanii, M. davyi and M. aureocephala

Abstract

Transverse sections and abaxial epidermal scrapes, of herbarium and freshly fixed leaf blade material, of Merxmuellera macowanii (Stapf) Conert, M. davyi (C. E. Hubb.) Conert and M. aureocephala (J. G. Anders.) Conert, were examined using light microscopy. The leaf anatomy o f these three species is very similar in all respects with the exception o f certain  M. aureocephala specimens. In addition, the anatomy indicates a relationship between these three species and M. disticha (Nees) Conert. This group of species differs anatomically from M. stricta (Schrad.) Nees, and related species such as  M. drakensbergensis (Schweick.) Conert and  M. stereophylla (J. G. Anders.) Conert, in the sequence of vascular bundles along the width of the leaf blade and associated characters. However, the M. aureocephala specimens, not having the  M. disticha type of vascular bundle arrangement, anatomically resemble the M. stricta group of species, and M. aureocephala appears to be intermediate between these two species groups.resemble the M. stricta group of species, and M. aureocephala appears to be intermediate between these two species groups.