Uncovering the Neglected Floral Secretory Structures of Rhamnaceae and Their Functional and Systematic Significance

Rhamnaceae flowers are notably recognized by their fleshy nectary. Other types of floral secretory structures have been scarcely reported for this family. Thus, the objective of the present study was to update the occurrence of these structures in the family and to contribute to the knowledge of their morphology and systematic significance. To this end, we carried out an extensive bibliographic search on the secretory structures of the family and obtained data for 257 taxa. Additionally, we presented here novel data (surface, anatomy, and ultrastructure) for six species belonging to the main clades within Rhamnaceae. The family has a wide diversity of types of mucilage-secreting structures: epidermis, hypodermis, idioblasts, cavities, and ducts. Mucilage and phenolic idioblasts are widely distributed among the floral organs. Colleters are present in all sampled species, and these are the first reports of their occurrence in floral organs of Rhamnaceae. The information obtained about the structure, secreted content, and occurrence of the secretory structures of Rhamnaceae helped us to understand the assertive folk use of its species. The absence of mucilage and the presence of resin or mucilage cavities and ducts in some taxa may have intrafamily systematic significance.