• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 2012

A comparative study of the petiole anatomy in the tribes Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum, Forsythia) and Fontanesieae (Fontanesia), including one related genus Myxopyrum belonging to Myxopyreae, was carried out using light microscopy. The anatomical characteristics of the distal, medial and proximal parts of the petiole were studied to document any differences. We are described in detail based on their quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Three crystal types (acicular, druse, and prismatic crystals) were found in both Fontanesia and Myxopyrum within all of the studied taxa. Uni-cellular non-glandular trichomes were found in Abeliophyllum and three Forsythia taxa (F. europaea, F. giraldiana, and F. japonica). All features were compared and the vascular patterns of the petiole were distinguished in two types: Type 1A: Trace continuous arc - without crystals (Abeliophyllum, Forsythia), 1B: with crystals (Myxopyrum), Type 2: Trace invaginating at ends with crystals (Fontanesia). A detailed anatomical description of the studied taxa is provided, and its systematic importance is also briefly discussed. In conclusion, some petiole anatomical characteristics (e.g., the main vascular patterns, the presence/absence of crystals) can be useful for diagnostic features as well as partly for supporting the recently proposed molecular phylogeny.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2013

A comparative study of leaf epidermal microstructure in tribes Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum: 1 species, Forsythia: 12 taxa - 10 species, 2 varieties), Fontanesieae (Fontanesia: 2 species) including one related genus Myxopyrum belonging to Myxopyreae (Myxopyrum: 5 taxa - 4 species, 1 subspecies) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to evaluate their significance in the taxonomy. The leaves of investigated taxa are either hypostomatic or amphistomatic, but former is more frequent. The size range of the guard cells is 17.14-47.58 ${\times}$ 11.59- 44.25 ${\mu}m$: the smallest one was found in Forsythia giraldiana (17.48-22.96 ${\times}$ 11.64-12.88 ${\mu}m$), while the largest one was measured to Myxopyrum pierrei (31.50-41.75 ${\times}$ 32.53-44.25 ${\mu}m$). Anomocytic stomatal complex are most frequent type (rarely paracytic), usually both anomocytic and anisocytic occur in one leaf. In surface view both adaxial and abaxial anticlinal walls of the subsidiary cells are variable (e.g., straight/curved, undulate, sinuate, undulate/sinuate). Three types (simple unicellular and multicellular non-glandular, subsessile glandular) of trichomes are found in leaves. Finally, the systematic significance of the leaf epidermal micromorphological characters in idenfitication and elucidation of these tribe, between or within the genera including among the species is also briefly discussed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2011

Traditionally, the Oleaceae has been divided into subfamilies Oleoideae and Jasminoideae. In the present paper, the taxonomical results so far made on the family were reviewed on the basis of palynology. The subfamilial classification is not well supported palynoligically, because both Myxopyrum of Jasminoideae and Comoranthus of Oleoideae having foveolate surface are well distinguished from the rest of the family having reticulate surface. The recent subfamily Nyctanthoideae (Takhtajan, 1977) including the monotypic Nyctanthus, was suggested to be included within the Jasminoideae although its closest relative on the palynological basis is different from that on the molecular basis. Tribal classification systems of the Jasminoideae are not well supported palynologically on the basis of surface character: presence or absence of bands on the mural ridge surface of the reticulum. On the basis of palynology, tribe Forsythiae including Abeliophyllum, Fontanesia, and Forsythia is monophyletic, and Fontanesia is well distinguished from the rest two. Korean species of Forsythia is divided into two: Forsythia koreana group and F. ovata-nakaii-saxatilis group. Recent discovery of F. saxatilis at a locality of F. ovata raised a question if the distinction between the two species on the basis of hairiness would be right. In the recent molecular studies, F. saxatilis var. lanceolata seems to be identified as F. saxatilis. Molecular studies showed that F. saxatilis (seemingly var. lanceolata or var. pilosa) is close to F. koreana. The fact in which the molecular result showed a close relationship between F. saxatilis varieties and F. koreana, is controversial to the result by floral and vegetative morphology. An intensive taxonomic study of these taxa would be needed.