The present paper provides a comprehensive wood anatomical survey of sixteen Indian species belonging to six genera, viz. Breynia, Flueggea, Glochidion, Leptopus, Margaritaria and Phyllanthus, of Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae). Systematic relationships were evaluated within the Phyllantheae with special emphasis on wood anatomical distinctiveness and recognition of genera within the super‐genus Phyllanthus s.l. Except for Leptopus, the wood microstructure of all genera was found to be largely homogeneous. The results confirm the generic identity of Glochidion, Phyllanthus and Breynia s.l. (including Sauropus) within Phyllanthus s.l. and supports the segregation of Leptopus from Phyllantheae. Further, the results did not favour the placement of P. columnaris and P. polyphyllus in same subsection ‘Polyphylli’ of Emblica sect. Emblica. Ecological and evolutionary aspects of the wood anatomy within the tribe are also discussed.

The family Putranjivaceae is taxonomically enigmatic, especially the genera Drypetes and Putranjiva. The systematic position of the family has been controversial for a long period. The present study provides comprehensive descriptions of the wood microstructure of eleven species belonging to the two Indian genera Drypetes and Putranjiva. These woods show large similarity in qualitative and quantitative anatomical features. A species identification key is presented for the separation of the Indian species based on constant wood anatomical characters. Three distinct infra‐generic groups are recognised within Drypetes on the basis of differential perforation plates in the vessels. The wood microstructure of Putranjiva was found to be highly similar to that of Drypetes, suggesting its inclusion in Drypetes. Dissimilarities in anatomical as well as morphological features among D. sumatrana, D. kurziana and D. lanceolata indicate that these taxa are three distinct. In addition to taxonomic interpretations, ecological and evolutionary aspects of wood anatomy are also discussed.

Th e wood anatomy of 15 representative species belonging to 12 genera of nine tribes of the subfamily Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae) are comprehensively described with focus on systematic implications. In addition, ecological and evolutionary aspects are evaluated. An identifi cation key to the species based on wood anatomical features is presented. Th e wood microstructure of the tribes was found to be considerably heterogeneous refl ecting an unnatural classifi cation of the subfamily. However, the results confi rm the generic relationship within subtribe Aleuritinae and tribe Ricinodendreae. Vernicia and Givotia may be recognized based on wood anatomical and morphological characters. Th e tribes Micrandreae and Adenoclineae have considerable similarity in wood anatomy. Th e wood structure of the monogeneric tribes Trigonostemoneae and Geloneae idicate a close relationship with the tribe Crotoneae.Th e pantropical subfamily Crotonoideae is one of three subfamilies of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae s.s . Th e subfamily include notable economic products such as cassava ( Manihot esculenta ), rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ) and tung oils ( Vernicia spp.), as well as many medicinal plants (Balakrishnan and Chakrabarty 2007).Crotonoideae is traditionally circumscribed to contain laticiferous taxa with crotonoid pollen. Morphology-based classifi cations for the subfamily have been proposed by M ü ller

Abstract:The present paper deals with detailed wood microstructure of 9 species belonging to six genera covering tribe Hippomaneae and Euphorbieae of the subfamily Euphorbiodeae (Euphorbiaceae). The study mainly focused on the systematic implication of wood anatomy to the subfamily, also ecological and evolutionary aspects were evaluated. Wood microstructure of the tribe Hippomaneae was found to be homogeneous considerably while Euphorbieae was heterogeneous to certain extent reflecting upon unnatural classification of the tribe. All the genera showed high vulnerability and mesomorphy reflecting adaptation to mesic environment. An identification key has been developed based on constant wood anatomical properties.

We provide a comprehensive wood anatomical survey of 11 Indian species belonging to four genera of the subfamily Antidesmatoideae (Phyllanthaceae) and evaluate their relationships and ecological adaptations in this context. Wood microstructure of the subfamily was found to be highly heterogeneous reflecting the unnatural classification of the subfamily. With some exceptions, our results do not corroborate recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic circumscriptions. The wood anatomy of Aporosa and Baccaurea was remarkably similar and they lack distinguishing wood anatomical characters. Antidesma showed adaptations to a xeric environment and Aporosa and Baccaurea showed adaptations to mesic environments. It is concluded that from a wood anatomical point of view, Antidesma and Bischofia are advanced while Aporosa and Baccaurea are primitive genera in the subfamily.

The present paper deals with the wood microstructure of 18 species belonging to 8 genera classified in four tribes of the subfamily Acalyphoideae s.l. (Euphorbiaceae). The study mainly focuses on the systematic implications of wood anatomy to the subfamily, but also ecological and evolutionary aspects are evaluated. The wood microstructure of the subfamily was found to be considerably homogeneous except for that of the tribe Chaetocarpeae. The results support the segregation of Hancea from Mallotus and merging of Trewia into Mallotus. It is further suggested to include Mallotus nudiflorus in Mallotus sect. Philippinensis instead of Mallotus sect. Rottleropsis. Wood anatomical data turned out to solve the synonymic problem of Mallotus albus, Mallotus macrostachyus and Mallotus tetracoccus as well as Macaranga denticulata and Macaranga pustulata as the results indicate that these species are all distinct. The sectional circumscriptions of Macaranga and Mallotus are evaluated based on wood anatomical data. Radial laticifers are reported for the first time in Macaranga indica. A species identification key to Indian species of Acalyphoideae based on wood anatomical characteristics is provided. Table 1. List of specimens and studied species with their accession numbers, collector names and localities of the subfamily Acalyphoideae.