Systematic Studies in the Neotropical Tribe Marcetieae

Abstract

Marcetieae comprises 20 genera and 163 taxa, mainly of herbs or shrubs, occurring predominantly in the Neotropics with special richness in Amazonian savannas, Cerrado, and campos rupestres. Although the species exhibit considerable diversity in floral morphology, most of them have 4-merous flowers, 4-locular ovaries, and glabrous pedoconnectives, as well as the presence of three layers in the ovary integument. In this chapter, we present an overview of the taxonomic history and systematics of the tribe with a focus on morphology, anatomy, cytology, reproductive biology, and conservation assessments. Based on morphology, we recognize Mallophyton as a member of Marcetieae. In addition to highlighting advances in systematics of the tribe, we also point out knowledge gaps.