Secretory hairs in Gentiana and allied genera (Gentianaceae, subtribe Gentianinae) from the Iberian Peninsula

Eleven species from six different sections of the genus Gentiana, as well a s one species each of genera Gentianella (G. campestris), Gentianopsis (G. ciliata), Comastoma (C. tenellum) and Swertia (S. perennis) have been studi ed by light microscopy for the presence of hairs in floral as well as in ve getative parts. Hairs are produced in the calyx and vegetative leaves of al l of them, and also in the corollae of the last three species. They fall in to two different types: those found in the corolla of Gentianopsis ciliata are non-secretory, while in the rest of the species studied, and also in th e calyx and leaves of G. ciliata, they produce a mucilaginous secretion. Ca lycine and foliar hairs are always produced in the adaxial epidermis at the base of the foliar organ, and are considered as mucilage secreting collete rs. The presence of colleters in vegetative organs has not been adequately considered in previous taxonomic accounts, in spite of their presumed signi ficance. (C) 2001 The Linnean Society of London.