Atlas of hairs for neotropical Melastomataceae

Abstract

Wurdack, John J. Atlas of Hairs for Neotropical Melastomataceae. Smith- sonian Contributions to Botany, number 63, 80 pages, 244 figures, 1986.- Hairs of 4 12 taxa representing 66 genera of New World Melastomataceae were examined by SEM. Representatives for each hair type are illustrated by SEM micrographs. Epicuticular waxes are illustrated. Unusual “stomatal” apertures on intersepalar hairs in the genera Pterolepis and Tibouchina were found. Parallel evolution of hairs in different genera and subgeneric divisions has occurred frequently. Hair diversity probably is the result of evolution for protection against arthropod predators.