A systematic histological study of palm fruits. IV. Subtribe Oncospermatinae (Arecaceae)

Abstract

Pericarp histology in the Oncospermatinae reveals distinctive characters at the generic level but no unique characters at the subtribal level. Pericarp structure is diverse but parallels the diversity found in other subtribes of the Areceae. The subtribe appears to be divisible into two distinct groups: one in which sclereids alone provide the primary protective barrier in the outer fruit and one in which fibrous bundles, some-times in combination with brachysclereids, form the outer barrier. This division of the subtribe supports similar conclusions derived from morphological data.