Botanica Pacifica. A journal of plant science and conservation 2026. Preprint
Article first published online: 21 OCT 2026 | DOI: 10.17581/bp.2026.15219
Stem anatomy of Corbichonia (Lophiocarpaceae): ontogeny of successive cambia and its evolutionary and ecological significance
Bathabile Dladla 1
&
Alexei A. Oskolski 1,2 
1 Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 Komarov Botanical Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
The stem structure of the perennial herb Corbichonia decumbens was examined, providing the first comprehensive account of stem anatomy in Lophiocarpaceae. Our observations extend the known occurrence of successive cambia to Lophiocarpaceae and indicate that their absence cannot be regarded as an ancestral condition for the Lophiocarpaceae–Nyctaginaceae clade (Caryophyllales). The presence of central cylinder of secondary xylem and phloem produced by regular vascular cambium may have been an ancestral feature of the clade. Successive cambia are initiated from procambial strands that produce vascular bundles arranged in arc-like series within the lateral meristematic zones. Interfascicular cambia do not develop, resulting in discontinuous successive cambia. Discontinuous secondary vascular system produced by then may contribute to hydraulic sectoriality in the Corbichonia stem potentially limiting the spread of embolism and allowing individual stem sectors to function or fail independently. Such sectoriality may represent an adaptation to seasonally dry environment.
Дладла Б., Оскольский А.А.* Анатомия стебля корбихонии (Lophiocarpaceae): онтогенез последовательных камбиев и его эволюционное и экологическое значение. Изучено анатомическое строение стебля многолетнего травянистого растения Corbichonia decumbens, что позволило впервые дать комплексное описание анатомии стебля для представителя Lophiocarpaceae. Впервые показано наличие последовательных камбиев (successive cambia) в семействе Lophiocarpaceae; их отсутсвие нельзя рассматривать как анцестральное состояние для клады Lophiocarpaceae–Nyctaginaceae (Caryophyllales). Наличие же центрального цилиндра вторичной ксилемы и флоэмы, образованного обычным сосудистым камбием, может трактоваться как анцестральный признак этой клады. Последовательные камбии образуются из тяжей прокамбия, формирующих сосудистые пучки, расположенные дугообразными рядами в латеральных меристематических зонах. Межпучковые камбии при этом не образуются, вследствие чего последовательные камбии остаются прерывистыми. Система из тяжей вторичных проводящих тканей, формируемых ими, по-видимому способствует секторальности водопроводения в стебле Corbichonia, ограничивая распространение эмболии сосудов и позволяя отдельным участкам стебля функционировать или отмирать относительно независимо друг от друга. Такая секторальность может представлять собой адаптацию к обитанию в условиях сезонных засух.
Keywords: cambial variants, Caryophyllales, wood, bark, vascular cambium, hydraulic sectoriality, аномальное утолщение стебля, древесина, кора, сосудистый камбий, гидравлическая секториальность
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