Inflorescence structure and affinities of Laurophyllus (Anacardiaceae)

WANNAN, B. S. & QUINN, C. J., 1992. Inflorescence structure and affinities of Laurophyllus (Anacardiaceae). The inflorescence structure, pollen and floral anatomy are investigated in Laurophyllus . The inflorescence is a panicle sensu Briggs & Johnson, but with marked differences between the male and female. Sistergroup comparison with the Burseraceae indicates that the plesiomorphic inflorescence in the Anacardiaceae is a thyrsoid, the apomorph being the panicle. Laurophyllus has Rhus -type pollen and therefore has no close affinity with Dobinea or Campylopeialum . Floral anatomy reveals that Laurophyllus is unicarpellary with a dorsally attached style and an apically attached ovule. These characters suggest that rather than being related to Anacardium or Mangifera , it has some affinity with Blepharocarya or perhaps with one of the poorly known African or Madagascan genera.