Colleters in Chamaecrista (L.) Moench sect. Chamaecrista and sect. Caliciopsis (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae): anatomy and taxonomic implications

ABSTRACT The genus Chamaecrista contains ca. 330 species organized into six sections, of which section Chamaecrista is the second largest (ca.75 species) distributed among six series, while the section Caliciopsis contains only two species. Colleters have been described in the genus Chamaecrista and they show potential taxonomic and phylogenetic significance. They are associated with lubrication, desiccation prevention and protection from microbial attacks of young developing organs. Although six types of colleters have been described for the genus Chamaecrista, there have been no studies focu...