XVI International Botanical Congess

Taxonomic relationships and delimitation of taxa within the Combretaceae were the subject of different treatments (clumping and splitting) by various authors working with a number of morphological characters. A number of pollen morphological evidences reinforcing, confirming or negating the relationships between and among certain tribes and sub-tribes of the family were highlighted. The main pollen morphological characters used include aperture types, exine thickening or protrusion around the endoapertures, costae pori, exine sculpturing and shape in polar view. The unique position of the monogeneric sub-family Strephonematoideae in relation to the sub-family Combretoideae was confirmed. The latter sub-family was suggested to contain 6 tribes and 4 sub-tribes. Tribes Buchenavieae, Lumnitzereae and Macropterantheae were newly created. Sub-tribe Guierincae was recognized as a separate sub-tribe within the tribe Combreteae. The distinctive characteristics of the genus Calytcopteris were outlined and those featured supporting its position as a monogeneric tribe (Calycopterieae) were highlighted.