Dauciform Roots in Aletris spicata (Nartheciaceae)

Abstract

We report dauciform roots in Aletris spicata (Thunb.) Franch. Swollen dauciform roots were observed in all populations of the species examined, while a similar root structure was not observed in the congeneric species A. foliata (Maxim.) Bureau & Franch. The description and illustrations in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae 15 indicated that both of A. spicata in China and A. capitata in China also have dauciform roots. To date, such roots have been reported in Cyperaceae and Juncaceae; this is a confirmation of dauciform roots in Nartheciaceae in Japanese species.