Drimys winteri has an anatropous, crassinucellate type of ovule with two non-vascularized integuments. Both the inner integument (i.i.) and the outer one (o.i.) are of dermal derivation. The integuments consist of three, or locally sometimes two or four layers of cells. The dermal initiation of the o.i. is in marked contrast with the subdermally initiated o.i. of the Magnoliaceae. This difference in origin of the o.i. is an additional character justifying the dissociation of the Winteraceae from the Magnoliaceae.