Gynoecium, fruit and seed structure of Paullinieae (Sapindaceae)

Despite an emphasis on fruit characters in Paullinieae taxonomy, few detailed morphological and anatomical studies of the gynoecia, fruits and seeds exist. The aims of the present study were (1) to provide a detailed documentation of gynoecium, fruit and seed structure and ontogeny in selected Paullinieae taxa; (2) to determine whether the gynoecium, seed and seedling provide additional characters of systematic value within the tribe; and (3) to relate the structural findings to mechanisms of fruit dehiscence and dispersal within these taxa. Newly described characters of systematic value within Paullinieae are shape and surface of the obturator, type of pollen tube transmitting tract, indumentum of the inner and outer surface of the carpels, ovary wall anatomy, aril anatomy, pseudo-hilum form, seedling germination mode and structure of first leaves. The fruits of Paullinia are septifragal, and conspicuous colour contrasts between the pericarp, aril and seed in most species of this genus are suggestive of a bird dispersal syndrome. Interestingly, it appears that relatively minor structural changes are associated with switches to rodent dispersal in Paullinia sphaerocarpa and water dispersal in R clathrata and R hystrix. Anemochorous fruits are septifragal (Cardiospermum and Urvillea) or schizocarpic (Houssayanthus, Lophostigma, Serjania). They are structurally similar and Cardiospermum with septifragal capsules may also show septicidal dehiscence. (C) 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society.