P-type sieve-element plastids and betalains in Portulacaceae (including Ceraria, Portulacaria, Talinella)

Abstract

The presence of specific P-type sieve-element plastids is reported for 16 and betalains for 14 species of Portulacaceae. The micromorphology of sieve-element plastids and the presence of betalains support a closer relationship of the Portulacaceae to the Aizoaceae than to the Caryophyllaceae. Three genera, Ceraria, Portulacaria, and Talinella, previously treated as doubtful members of the Portulacaceae, cannot be distinguished from members of the Basellaceae on the basis of plastid subtypes since the two families have identical subtypes; however, the data do confirm their alignment with the Portulacaceae–Basellaceae family group.