| Molecular studies have indicated that some species of Banisteriopsis would be more appropriately placed in Diplopterys. Both of these genera are neotropical members of the Malpighiaceae, a family that is widely diverse in South America, especially in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado). Studies concerning the anatomy of the reproductive organs of Malpighiaceae from the cerrado are very rare. Thus, the present work describes the morphology, anatomy, and ontogeny of the pericarp of B. campestris, B. oxyclada, B. stellaris, and D. pubipetala, comparing them and identifying characteristics that could support the segregation of genera. The fruits of Banisteriopsis studied here demonstrate structures very similar among themselves, while D. pubipetala shows numerous... |
