Staurocytic Stomatal Complexes in Species of Monocalyptus sensu Carr and Carr (Eucalyptus, Myrtaceae)

Abstract

Adult leaves of the species of five groups of eucalypts, previously thought to be related on grounds of comparative morphology, especially of the flower, are shown to have stomatal complexes conforming to the type, rare among angiosperms, known as staurocytic. They develop from anisocytic complexes, typical of the seedling leaves. Adults leaves of many of the species have complexes with mostly four or five subsidiary cells. The spectrum of frequencies of subsidiary cells may be characteristic of individual species.