The anatomy of the foliar nectaries of four drynarioid species (Drynaria quercifolia, D. rigidula, Aglaomorpha coronans and A. acuminata) is described. The nectaries of all four species are vascularized modifications of the leaf blade and are distinct from surrounding tissue. They are composed of densely staining tissue with small isodiametric cells and reduced intercellular spaces. The nectaries of D. quercifolia and A. coronans occur as patches of tissue on the leaf blade. In contrast, the nectaries of D. rigidula and A. acuminata are stand-alone structures. The nectaries of A. acuminata represent the most specialized nectaries yet described among the ferns. The contribution of these data to cladistic analyses of Drynaria and Aglaomorpha is discussed.
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American Fern Journal
Vol. 100 • No. 2
April 2010
Vol. 100 • No. 2
April 2010
Aglaomorpha
Drynaria
Nectary anatomy