Leaf anatomy of the South African Danthonieae (Poaceae). VII. Merxmuellera decora, M. lupulina and M. rufa

The leaf anatomy of Merxmuellera decora (Nees) Conert, M. lupulina (Thunb.) Conert and M. rufa (Nees)Conert is described and illustrated. The epidermal structure is shown to be uniform in all three taxa and to be unique in the genus. The leaf anatomy is very variable and three distinct types are evident. M. lupulina is consistent, but all three anatomical types are represented in the samples examined of both M. decora and M. rufa.The anatomical types show similarities with Pentaschistis involuta (Steud.) Adamson, M. dura (Stapf) Conert, M. stricta (Schrad.) Conert and M. disticha (Nees) Conert. M. decora, M. lupulina and M. rufa, together with P. involuta, therefore, appear to form a recognizable group intermediate between Pentaschistis and Merxmuellera.

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