A taxonomic reassessment of Blepharocarya F. Muell.

Abstract

The specialized female and male inflorescences of Blepharocarya are analysed revealing that each is derived from a thyreoid inflorescence. This appears to be a characteristic of the Anacardiaceae. The occurrence of vertical intercellular secretory canals in the primary and secondary phloem is illustrated, whilst the presence of Rhus–type pollen is confirmed. These characters provide further support for the retention of the genus in the Anacardiaceae.