We employ the nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences to assess the evolutionary relationships of Araliaceae in the Malesian region . Malesian Araliaceae consist of 14 genera and about 500 species . Our analysis suggests a diffuse origin of
Araliaceae taxa, with many genera belong to the Asian palmate clade or the tribe Hedereae. The Malesian endemic Harmsiopanax is morphologically unique and its phylogenetic position is not well resolved at present. Several morphologically diverse species of Brassaiopsis perhaps have a relatively recent origin in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, as suggested by their monophyly as well as their low ITS sequence divergence. Wardenia is not supported as W. simplex ( = B. simplex ) is nested within Brassaiopsis. The Malayan region is important for the development of Schefflera , and available evidence suggests that Schefflera in the region forms a clade with the Heptapleurum group. Dendropanax lancifolius does not form a clade with the core group of Dendropanax, and its status needs to be further analyzed. Macropanax maingayi was considered to be a highly distinct member comprising the monotypic genus Hederopsis. Our analysis clearly places it in Macropanax. Aralia merrillii was once considered to be the sole member of the genus Acanthophora because of its unusual climbing habit. The ITS data support its placement in Aralia. Our expanded sampling of Arthrophyllum continues to support its monophyly. Osmoxylon has a primary distribution in the Malesian region and it is a hylogenetically isolated member of Araliaceae.
Leaf epidermis of 33 species representing 25 genera of Sapindaceae, 2 species of Hippocastanaceae and 4 species of 2 genera of Aceraceae was investigated using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The shapes of leaf epidermal cells of these three families are usually polygonal or irregular ; the patterns of anticlinal walls are straight , arched or sinuolate . The stomatal apparatuses, only present on the abaxial epidermis for all sampled species ( except for Cardiospermum halicacabum and Eurycorymbus cavaleriei), can be assigned into six types. The anomocytic type, occurring in 16 species ( Allophylus caudate, Handeliodendron bodinieri, and Delavaya toxocarpa , etc .) is very common; the actinocytic type, occurring in 11 species ( Amesiodendron chinense, Aesculus chinensis, Dipteronia sinensis, etc .), and the cyclocytic type , occurring in 6 species ( Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis, Nephelium chryseum) are comparatively common; whereas the other three types can be considered diagnostic of several genera, such as hemiparacytic type for Aphania oligophylla, Pometia tomentosa and Xerospermum bonii , Harpullia cupaniodes, staurocytic type mainly for Pavieasia kwangsiensis, and anisocytic type only for Cardiospermum halicacabum. Under SEM the cuticular layer of the leaf epidermis is striated, scaly or granular; the inner margin of outer stomatal rim of most species of these three families is undulate . The close relationships among Sapindaceae , Hippocastanaceae and Aceraceae are supported by the evidence from leaf epidermis .
Corydalis Liden Z. Y. Su, sp. nov. (Fumariaceae ) is described from Yunnan, China. It belongs to Corydalis Sect. Elatae and related to C. pingwuensis C. Y. Wu.
Gametophyte morphology of Sphaeropteris brunoniana under four culture conditions were investigated. Results showed that the gametophytes cultured on humus soil and crimson soil were different in the shape of the prothallus and sexual reproduction. On the other hand, the shape of filament and prothallus of the gametophytes cultured on improved Knop′s agar medium were also quite different under different illuminations .
