Are cuticular characters useful in solving generic relationships of problematic species of Lauraceae?

We report on the cuticular features of a number of Lauraceae species belonging to the genera Aspidostemon, Beilschmiedia, Cryptocarya and Potameia , all from Madagascar. The goal of this project was to ascertain if cuticular features could be used to determine the generic placement of a poorly known species previously placed in Cryptocarya and Aspidostemon and of several specimens which combine characters of Potameia and Beilschmiedia . We conclude that cuticular features define groups of species or genera of Lauraceae and that these characters are a promising tool in solving the generic placement of poorly known species or specimens which possess characters typical of more than one genus.