Colleters in american spermacoceae genera (rubiaceae) : morphoanatomical and evolutionary aspects

Abstract

This article describes the anatomy of colleters in the Spermacoceae tribe of the family Rubiaceae in detail. The presence of underground colleters in Galianthe grandifolia is confirmed and extended to other species of the genus. Vascularization is recorded for the first time in colleters of Mitracarpus and Staelia. This study provides data about the type, distribution, and anatomy of colleters in Spermacoceae, contributing important information for ongoing phylogenetic studies in the tribe. The proposal of a new functional type of colleter based on anatomical, morphological, and ecological aspects, named long-lived colleter, reflects the need to perform further comprehensive studies based on multidisciplinary approaches.