A survey of autofluorescent patterns in the staminal connective base epidermis in 60 species of Asteraceae

All 60 Asteraceae species sampled, i.e., two species of Barnadesioideae, 21 species in six tribes in Cichorioideae, and 37 species in nine tribes of Asteroideae, show specific patterns of autofluorescence in abaxial connective base epidermal cells. Two species of Cichorioideae and 15 species of Asteroideae have autofluorescence in adaxial epidermal cells of the connective base. Several taxonomically useful features of the connective base are identified; they include shapes of autofluorescent cells, patterns of distribution of cells with autofluorescent walls, and patterns of distribution of autofluorescence in walls. Cellular features of many species coincide with recognized generic, tribal, and subtribal classifications. The results extend Cassini's characterization of the article antherifere and indicate that the variable features of the connective bases of stamens of Asteraceae could contribute to phylogenetic understanding.