XVI International Botanical Congess

Within the tribe Boehmerieae three main pericarp types might be distinguished with different exo- and mesocarp structure. For the group of genera with hard exocarp and fiber mesocarp the transfer of function to persistent tubular perianth is characteristic to a greater degree, as well as heteroanthocarpy and heterodiaspory. In other genera fruits are frequently arranged in head-like infructescences. In Boehmeria the most diversity of the pericarp structure is discovered, what conforms to its antiquity. The subdivision of Boehmerieae based on pericarp characters disagree with traditional division into subtribes, recognized mainly on the basis of floral characters. Pericarp structure is diagnostic feature which may be used in determination of genera limits, their relationships and of the real volume of the tribe.