Zhang Xin-Hua, Xia Nian-He. ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA SINICA. 2007, 45 (2): 167-190

ABSTRACT: Leaf architectural and morphological characters of 28 taxa from Michelia, Paramichelia and Tsoongiodendron (Magnoliaceae sensu stricto, subtribe Micheliinae) were examined to gain a better understanding of the intergeneric relationships and the systematic positions of some species within Michelia. The taxa examined, all of which have simple leaves with entire margins and camptodromous pinnate venation, varied in their secondary venation, which was brochidodromous or brochidodromous to eucamptodromous, the mixture of simple and composite intersecondary veins, percurrent to reticulate tertiary veins. Dendroid veinlets were recorded for the first time in Michelia species. Phenetic analyses of leaf architectural characters and morphological characters suggested that Paramichelia and Tsoongiodendron are grouped together and merged in the Michelia, and these characters provide useful taxonomic information for division of sections in Michelia. In addition, systematic positions of some species in Michelia are discussed.