Page 8 - CAPPARIS_2006

Volume 93, Number 1 Inocencio et al. 129
2006 Revision of Capparis Sect. Capparis

shape was recognized as a useful character for corymbose or racemose inflorescences. Flower buds
identifying living, herbarium, and processed material may have acute or rounded apices. Flowers are
(Inocencio et al., 2002); once characterized in fresh bisexual and more or less zygomorphic. Four green
material, it is relatively easy to determine in sepals are always present, free, concave, having a more
herbarium specimens by re-hydrating the anthers or less galeate (helmet-shaped) abaxial sepal. Four
and using a stereomicroscope. All the selected white or pink petals are always present, free, oval,
characters were studied in mature specimens with frequently unequal. From 50 to numerous stamens.
open flowers and ripe fruit. The quantitative char- Anthers are small to large (Table 2) with a rounded or
acters are expressed using SI metric units. sharp apex; androphore absent. Nectary situated in
the floral disk, between the insertion of the petals and
PLANT HABIT IN CAPPARIS SECT. CAPPARIS sepals, triangular in form, apex directed toward the
flower’s interior. Nectary morphology can be a highly
Capparis comprises small trees, shrubs, or geo-
valuable taxonomic resource, but only available in
phytes. All species of section Capparis are erect,
fresh or well-preserved material (Inocencio et al.,
procumbent, or pendulous shrubs (Fig. 1). Some (C.
2002). A gynophore is present, usually exceeding the
sicula) behave as a true geophyte, with underground,
stamens in length. The ovary is ellipsoid, situated at
branched perennial stems and decaying annual aerial
the end of the gynophore, unilocular, with (2 to)4(to
parts (ge ´othamne, sensu Bocquet & Aeschiman, 10) placentas.
1981).
FRUITS IN CAPPARIS SECT. CAPPARIS
VESTITURE IN CAPPARIS SECT. CAPPARIS
The fruit is an oblong, ovoid, ellipsoid, or globose
Plants glabrous or with simple trichomes as the
indument. Trichome types and the density of berry, that is green in color with well-defined
pubescence on various parts of the plant are useful longitudinal nerves, along which dehiscence later
characters for identifying some Capparis species. occurs. Seeds are from one to numerous, and are
However, high infraspecific variation is common in generally brown in color when mature, immersed in
collections identified as C. sicula, for example. More a reddish or yellow pulp. Seed shape, color, and
consistent vestiture is found on the abaxial part of the dimensions have been noted to be of limited
leaves, where density, thickness, and length of the taxonomic value (Rivera et al., 2002).
indument (Table 1) may be analyzed for each taxon.
TAXONOMIC TREATMENT
STIPULES AND LEAVES IN CAPPARIS SECT. CAPPARIS
Capparis L., Sp. pl.: 503. 1753. TYPE: Capparis
Spiny stipules developing at the base of the petioles spinosa L.
are absent in some species (e.g., Capparis orientalis)
Beautempsia Gaudich., Voyage Bonite Bot. Atlas: tab. 56.
or are early shedding (e.g., C. hereroensis, C. ovata, C.
1842 [1844–46]. TYPE: Beautempsia avicenniaefolia
spinosa). Stipule shape, color, direction of curvature Gaudich., Voyage Bonite Bot. Atlas: tab. 56. 1842
and decurrence at the base are distinctive characters [1844–46].
(Table 1). Busbeckea Endl., Prodr. Fl. Ins. Norf. 64. 1833. TYPE:
Leaves are simple, not divided, alternate, with Busbeckea nobilis Endl., Prodr. Fl. Ins. Norf. 64. 1833.
Colicodendron Mart., Flora 22(1) (Beibl.): 25. 1839. TYPE:
petioles well differentiated. Leaf morphology fur-
Colicodendron yco Mart., Flora 22 (1) (Beibl.): 25.
nishes distinctive characters (shape, texture, base
1839.
type, apex type, presence and type of mucro) (Table 2). Destrugesia Gaudich., Voyage Bonite Bot. Atlas: tab. 57.
The size and, much less, the shape of the leaves are 1842 [1844–1846]. TYPE: Destrugesia scabrida Gau-
variable within many species. Leaf size especially dich., Voyage Bonite Bot. Atlas: tab. 57. 1842 [1844–
1846].
depends on water availability and exposure to winds
Hombak Adans., Fam. 2: 402, 408. 1763. TYPE: Genus
and sun during the growing season. Petiole length,
described referring to Lippi MS. (Manuscript list of
although variable within species, can be sorted into plants collected in Egypt by Lippi.) There are no
three groups (Table 2). species associated with the genus in the protologue.
However, the inflorescence type, lack of leaves, and
origin (Lippi, hence Egypt) likely refer to Sodada
INFLORESCENCES AND FLOWERS IN CAPPARIS SECT. CAPPARIS decidua Forssk. (5 Capparis aphylla Roth).
Oligloron Raf., Sylva Telluriana: 109. 1838. TYPE:
The flowers are solitary in the axil of the leaves.
Oligloron zeylanica Raf.
This is a distinctive character for the section. In other Olofuton Raf., Sylva Telluriana: 108. 1838. TYPE: Olofuton
sections (except sect. Galeatae) the flowers form racemosum Raf.