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Issue: Vol. 776 No. 3: 25 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-25
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.776.3.1
Page range: 201-242
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 6

Exploring seed morphology of Polygala s.s. (Polygalaceae) for taxonomic purposes: a case study of the Angolan taxa

Centre for Functional Ecology; Laboratório Associado TERRA; Departamento de Ciências da Vida; Universidade de Coimbra; Calçada Martim de Freitas; 3000-456; Coimbra; Portugal
Centre for Functional Ecology; Laboratório Associado TERRA; Departamento de Ciências da Vida; Universidade de Coimbra; Calçada Martim de Freitas; 3000-456; Coimbra; Portugal
Centre for Functional Ecology; Laboratório Associado TERRA; Departamento de Ciências da Vida; Universidade de Coimbra; Calçada Martim de Freitas; 3000-456; Coimbra; Portugal; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; EH3 5LR; UK
Eudicots caruncle seed identification seed microphotography standardising seed description

Abstract

The complex seed morphology of Polygala subgen. Polygala is formally described for the Angolan taxa. Seeds were collected from herbarium specimens and microphotographs of lateral, dorsal, and ventral views were used to derive data on the measurements and shape of the structures. A standardised and illustrated explanation of quantitative attributes and descriptive terms for shapes was developed to improve consistency and facilitate comparison across taxa. An identification key of taxa based solely on seed features is also provided. The majority of the taxa (80%) can be segregated using seed characters alone, which demonstrates the value of seed morphology for the taxonomy of species in Polygala s.s.

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How to Cite

Coelho, A.M., Paiva, J.A. & Sales, F. (2026) Exploring seed morphology of Polygala s.s. (Polygalaceae) for taxonomic purposes: a case study of the Angolan taxa. Phytotaxa 776 (3): 201–242. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.776.3.1