Leaf cross sections and phytogeography: a potent combination for identifying members of Festuca subgg. Festuca and Leucopoa (Poaceae), occurring in North America

• Published in: American journal of botany Vol. 82; no. 10; pp. 1287 - 1299
• Main Authors: Aiken, Susan G., Consaul, Laurie L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Columbus American Botanical Society 01-10-1995; Botanical Society of America, Inc
• Subjects: america del norte; amerique du nord; anatomia de la planta; anatomie vegetale; Biological taxonomies; Block diagrams; Botany; developmental stages; distribucion natural; distribution naturelle; etapas de desarrollo; festuca; feuille; Flowers & plants; Geography; Gin; gramineae; hojas; Leaves; measurement; medicion; mesure; methode; methods; metodos; natural distribution; north america; Phytogeography; plant anatomy; Plant veins; Plants; Sclerenchyma; stade de developpement; Systematics and Phytogeography; Taxa; taxonomia; taxonomie; taxonomy
• ISSN: 0002-9122; 1537-2197
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1995.tb12663.x

Icon-like diagrams are used to summarize the anatomical patterns observed in leaf cross sections of 30 taxa of Festuca subgg. Festuca and Leucopoa occurring in western North America. Measurements of four variables, notes on the degree of development and the position of sclerenchyma, along with distribution maps of 24 native taxa, are presented. Twenty-nine diagrams were created from the synthesis of at least ten leaf-section drawings based on five plants chosen from across the geographic range of each taxon (fewer suitable specimens were obtained for two taxa). A key based on data collected in this study allows identification of species in subg. Festuca. Geographic distribution is more reliable than leaf anatomy for separating taxa in subg. Leucopoa.