Systematic Taxonomy Of The Genus Osmanthus (Oleaceae)

Osmanthus is a genus of the family Oleaceae . Since the establishment of the genus in 1790 , aboutt 108 binomials have been establised in this genus . The article systematically reviews the history and present conditions on the research of the genus . The paper contains these parts as follows :1. Compares the differences between Osmanthus and other related genera, such as Phillyrea , Olea , Linociera , Chionanthus , and Forrestiera , thus makes clear the definition line of this genus .2. With the useage of SEM , leaf surface micromorphology characters of 15 species are studied . The results show that , the stomatas and glandular dots are mainly scattered on the lower surface of leaves . The stomatas are regular organized , usually elliptical or spherical , the sizes among 11.9 x 16.7μ , -27.5 x 32.5μ , largest in O. heterophyllus ( G.. Don . ) P. S . Green , smallest in 0. minor P. S . Green . The surface cells sorrouding the stomatas are ususlly protruding and look like rings , sometimes they are so complicated as twining roups . Except for O. attenuatus P. S. Green and O. delavayi Franch . , all the species have glandular dots , these dots usually have radiate rings . According to the results , the paper gives a key to the species of Osmanthus . Meanmhile, the result is in accordance with those of traditional ones.3. The paper makes a primary research on the fruits of 11 species and 1 varities . Different conditions occurred among different groups.4. The paper wholly discusses the morphological characters of the genus , including branchlet , lamina , leaf margin , venation , inflorescence , calyx , corolla , stamen , fruit and so on . Among all these characters , leaf margin , venation , inflorescence , corolla and stamen are the most important ones .5. On the basis of checking large amounts of specimens , 31 species and 5 varities are recognized in the genus ,26 species and 2 varities distribute in China . Two new synomons and 18 informal published binomials are listed under 11 species respectively .6. A thorough geographical distribution table of 26 Chinese species is given. Hunan, Sichuan and Guangdong are most abundant in the resource of Osmanthus .7. O. fragrans distribute wildly in 11 provinces , Zhejiang , Jiangxi , Fujian , Hunan now have related research papers respectively .8. The genus Osmanthus is thought to origin in tropical areas in East Asia andSoutheast Asia , that is to say , southeastern China to Malay peninsula . Now the 4 sections in these genus have 3 types of inflorescences : paniculate inflorescence, racemose inflorescence and umbellate radicle, the presumably evolution systemis :paniculate inflorescence-racemose inflorescence-umbellate radicle.9. The paper discusses the economic values of this genus . The species are useful in landscape garden , industry , foods and traditional Chinese medicine .