NOTES ON THE ANATOMY OF THE GENUS ORYCTANTHUS (LORANTHACEAE)

Abstract

In the taxonomically confused Loranthoideae of the Americas the genus Oryctanthus stands out as a distinctive entity. The following combination of characters is described in support of this contention:1. The genus is limited to continental parts of tropical America, with the sole exception of one species in Jamaica.2. Few epicortical roots are produced, and these at the base of the plant only.3. Stellate fiber-bundles and crystalliferous sclereids are present in foliage leaves.4. The spikes are swollen and bear sunken, sessile flowers.5. The pollen type is apparently unique in the family.