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A preliminary systematic study of Dioscorea L. sect. Stenophora Uline

Pei Chien, Ting Chih-Tsun, Chin Hui-Chen, Su Pu, Tang Shih-Yung, Chang Hang-Ching   

  • Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1979-08-18 Published:1979-08-18
  • Contact: Pei Chien

Abstract:

The synthetic studies on the external morphology, cytology, pollen morphology and
phytochemistry of the Sect. Stenophora Uline of Dioscorea L. give the evidence to
their phylogenetic relationships and indicate that this section is a primitive natural
group of this genus, characterized by: 1.  The  horizonal and perennial subterranean
rhizome, while the members of other sections bear annual or perennial vertical tubers.
2. Most of its species are diploids, while the species of other sections are polyploids. 3.
The pollen grain is monocolpate, the ornamentation  of  the  exine  is  reticulate  or
granulate-striate, while those of the other sections are bicolpate, reticulate. 4. All the
species in this section contain steroidal sapogenin, while the members of other sections
are devoid of sapogenin.
     According to R. Knuth's classification  (1924),  N. N. FepacNMeHKo  (1972) sug-
gested that no apparent relationship was found in the distribution of steroidal sapo-
genin to the species of Dioscorea, our studies on the Sect. Stenophora showed the dis-
agreement to his conclusions.
     Regarding the systematic position of section and species,  we suggest Burkill's
Sect.  Illigerestrum should be cancelded, the species D. simulans erroneously put into
Sect.  Illigerestrum by Burkill (1936) be to the Sect. Stenophora. We also suggest that
D. tentaculigera Prain et Burk. of Sect.  Stenophora as treated by Burkill should be
transferred to Sect. Shannicorea.
     The classification and nomenclature of the species D. zingiberensis Wright and
D. nipponica Makino are also discussed.                 
 

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