Interpretative gynoecial morphology of the Lactoridaceae and the Winteraceae — a re-assessment

An analysis of the floral morphology of a number of Polycarpicae, based on numerous published reports, reveals that the interpretative morphology of the pistils of Winteraceae, Lactoridaceae and some associated groups must be based on the assumption that these female reproductive organs are lateral appendages of gonoclads which became laterally concrescent to form a spurious floral apex. Certain anatomical and comparative morphological details are in good agreement with this interpretation. The pistils in question, inserted on the false floral apex, can only be the homologues of ovuliferous cupules as found inMesozoiccycadopsidgymnosperms. This type of floral organisation and this category of pistil occur in a number of Polycarpicae, but almost certainly not in all taxa of this assembly, and also in several other angiospermous groups. The implications of this interpretation in the early divergent Angiosperm phylogeny and in the taxonomy of the Flowering Plants are discussed.