Structure, distribution and classification of plant trichomes in relation to taxonomy III. Papilionoideae

Abstract

A detailed structure, organographic distribution, classification and taxonomic significance of trichomes in 42 species in the subfamily Papilionoideae is presented. In all, 28 trichome types are recognised in the taxon, of which 9 are newly described. The trichome types fit into four categories in accordance with the classification by Ramayya (1975). Based on the distribution of trichome categories, the Papilionoideae seems more related to the subfamily Mimosoideae than to the Caesalpinioideae. A key is provided for the identification of the species, based on the foliar trichomes.