Abstract
SummaryThe problem of the correct position of the Conocephaloideae, a subfamily of the Moraceae in Engler's system, but transferred to the Urticaceae by Corner (1962), can be satisfactorily solved by assigning the rank of family to this taxon, to be named Cecropiaceae. Diagnoses of and a key to the six genera constituting this family (Cecropia, Coussapoa, Musanga, Myrianthus, Poikilospermum, and Pourouma) are given. The classification of the Urticales and the relationship between the Cecropiaceae and both Moraceae and Urticaceae are discussed. A key to the families of the Urticales is given.
Highlights
The problem of the correct position of the Conocepbaloideae, a subfamily of the Moraceae in Engler's system, but transferred to the Urticaceae by Corner (1962), can be satisfactorily solved by assigning the rank of family to this taxon, to be named Cecropiaceae
70-80 species in tropical America, forming small to tall trees often with stilt-roots; stem and branches with hollow internodes; leaves large, lamina peltate, radially incised, with radial venation; inflorescences a pedunculate digitate cluster of spikes enveloped by a caducous spathe; perianth of staminate and pistillate flowers tubular; stamens 2; stigma capitate-penicillate or peltate, ovule basal; fruit a nutlet, endocarp crustaceous, tuberculate or smooth; endosperm present, cotyledons flat, radicle relatively long
The difference between inflexed and straight stamens has played an important role in delimiting taxa at the rank of family, subfamily or tribe, many students of the Urticales expressed some doubt about the significance of this difference
Summary
The problem of the correct position of the Conocepbaloideae, a subfamily of the Moraceae in Engler's system, but transferred to the Urticaceae by Corner (1962), can be satisfactorily solved by assigning the rank of family to this taxon, to be named Cecropiaceae. The classification of the Urticales and the relationship between the Cecropiaceae and both Moraceae and Urticaceae are discussed. Type genus: Cecropia Loefling Cecropieae Gaudichaud in Freycinet, tribe of the Urticeae (= Urticales). 1830, as tribe of the Urticeae (= Urticales); Trecul, Ann. Sci. Pinnately veined to subtriplinerved or to palmately veined in entire to palmately incised leaves or radially veined in peltate leaves; stipules fused, mostly fully amplexicaul; cystoliths present in Poikilospermum, lacking in the other genera.' Plants strictly. Pistillate flowers with a tubular, 4-2-lobed to 4-2-dentate perianth, ovary free, stigma 1, lingulate to capitate-penicillate to peltate, ovule (sub)orthotropous, basal or subbasal.
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