Ovule-to-seed development in <i>Dovyalis caffra</i> (Salicaceae: Flacourtieae) with notes on the taxonomic significance of the extranucellar embryo sac

Abstract

Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. Harv.) Hook.f. is a widespread and horticulturally important southern African endemic. Here described, ovule-to-seed development represents the first embryological information on this genus of the tribe Flacourtieae, Salicaceae sensu lato. Results are discussed in the light of data available on the embryology of the order Malpighiales in general and on the tribe Flacourtieae in particular. It is clear that Dovyalis E.Mey. ex Am. shares many characters with other members of the Flacourtieae. Ovules of D. caffra are anatropous. bitegmic and crassinucellate with both bisporic Allium- and monosporic Polygonum-type embryo sacs. One of the most characteristic embryological features of the tribe is the pres­ence of an unusual, extranucellar embryo sac that stretches halfway up into the micropyle. Since this extraordinary-shaped embryo sac also defines the embryo sacs of Salix L. and Populus L., it is suggested that the character provides strong sup­port for the proposed close phylogenetic link between tribes Flacourtieae and Saliceae of Salicaceae sensu lato.

New Dovyalicin-Type Spermidine Alkaloid From Dovyalis Caffra (Warb.); Family: Salicaceae, Cultivated in Egypt

“…D. caffra is native to southern Africa and it is widely cultivated in Egypt as a hedge plant. Formerly, it was classified as a member of a defunct family; Flacourtiaceae, but now it belongs to family Salicaceae under the tribe of Flacourtieae (Chase et al 2002;Cheek and Ngolan 2006;Chase et al 2016;Lemke 1988;Steyn, Van Wyk, and Smith 2005). The roots of Dovyalis caffra and other Dovyalis spp.…”

Reinstatement of Dovyalis revoluta (Flacourtieae, Salicaceae), with an updated key to the species of Dovyalis in southern Africa

“…3C). The origin and development of these seed hairs were studied in D. caffra by Steyn et al (2005). Hairs are unicellular and develop from the outer epidermis of the outer integument.…”

Traditional Uses, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Dovyalis caffra

“…Hook. f. is a widespread and horticulturally important southern African endemic plant species [1]. The species belongs to the family Salicaceae or willow family.…”

“…ex Am. is relatively small, mostly African genus comprising about 15 species of shrubs or relatively small trees, often thorny, with simple, alternate and exstipulate leaves [1,2]. In South Africa, the fruits of D. caffra, D. rhamnoides (Burch.…”