Morphological and anatomical characteristics of the Marantaceae

The vegetative morphology of the Marantaceae is described. It is suggested that the very diverse growth-forms in the family are all fundamentally the same since only one type of branch unit exists. The anatomy of the family is outlined. In a taxonomic discussion it is pointed out that there is no clear distinction between the Calatheae and Maranteae, although some of the individual genera may have structural diagnostic features. Using anatomical evidence reasons are given for considering the more elaborate aerial shoots in the Marantaceae to have evolved from simpler forms.