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<p>Spiranthoid orchids, a diverse group with both wide ecological demand and high morphological variability, remain particularly challenging in terms of classification. Despite phylogenetic analyses indicating monophyly of the tribe Spiranthinae, inconsistencies between morphological and genetic data, as well as conflicts between nuclear and plastid markers, have hindered the establishment of clear taxonomic boundaries. Seed morphology, which has been successfully applied in plant systematics, remains understudied in this group. Here, we investigated seed morphology and surface ultrastructure in 67 species of spiranthoid orchids based on both quantitative biometric measurements and qualitative micromorphological characters (scanning electron microscopy), with trait variation evaluated using multivariate statistical analyses interpreted in a phylogenetic context. Seed morphology in spiranthoid orchids is highly variable and shows no consistent correlation with phylogeny, distribution, environment, or plant size. Only <i>Myrosmodes nubigenum</i> exhibits a clear distinctiveness, likely due to its isolated evolutionary position and high-Andean habitat. While seed traits can aid in diagnosing certain taxa, their utility for infra-tribal classification is limited. Broader studies integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological data are needed to clarify the evolutionary drivers of seed diversity in this group.</p>

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Assessing significance of seed coat micromorphology in taxonomy of tribe Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月3日

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  • Dariusz L. Szlachetko,
  • Marta Kolanowska,
  • Magdalena Dudek,
  • Sławomir Nowak,
  • Agnieszka Rewicz

摘要

Spiranthoid orchids, a diverse group with both wide ecological demand and high morphological variability, remain particularly challenging in terms of classification. Despite phylogenetic analyses indicating monophyly of the tribe Spiranthinae, inconsistencies between morphological and genetic data, as well as conflicts between nuclear and plastid markers, have hindered the establishment of clear taxonomic boundaries. Seed morphology, which has been successfully applied in plant systematics, remains understudied in this group. Here, we investigated seed morphology and surface ultrastructure in 67 species of spiranthoid orchids based on both quantitative biometric measurements and qualitative micromorphological characters (scanning electron microscopy), with trait variation evaluated using multivariate statistical analyses interpreted in a phylogenetic context. Seed morphology in spiranthoid orchids is highly variable and shows no consistent correlation with phylogeny, distribution, environment, or plant size. Only Myrosmodes nubigenum exhibits a clear distinctiveness, likely due to its isolated evolutionary position and high-Andean habitat. While seed traits can aid in diagnosing certain taxa, their utility for infra-tribal classification is limited. Broader studies integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological data are needed to clarify the evolutionary drivers of seed diversity in this group.