台闽苣苔（苦苣苔科）花部器官的形态发生

在扫描电镜下对台闽苣苔 (T .oldhamii (Hemsl.)Solereder)进行了花部器官形态发生的观察 ,为探索该类群的个体发育、类群间的系统发育关系和进化趋势提供依据。研究发现该属植物萼片、花冠和雄蕊发生式样均为五数花类型 ,它们各自来源于花原基上分化出来的萼片原基、花冠原基和雄蕊原基 ;花冠与雄蕊的两侧对称性与花冠上唇生长稍快和退化雄蕊原基发育迟滞相关 ;萼片原基的发生和发育的顺序是不一致的 :萼片原基发生的式样为近轴中原基—远轴 2原基— 2侧原基 ,发育式样则为近轴中萼片— 2侧萼片—远轴 2萼片 ,花蕾时为镊合状排列。花冠裂片原基的发生和发育式样是一致的 ,即远轴中裂原基 (下唇中裂片 )—远轴 2侧裂原基 (下唇 2侧裂片 )—近轴 2裂原基 (上唇 2裂片 )。花蕾期卷迭式为覆瓦状排列 ,从外向内 :下唇中裂片—下唇 2侧裂片—上唇 2裂片或下唇 2侧裂片—上唇 2裂片—下唇中裂片。雄蕊原基与花冠裂片原基互生 ,前方雄蕊原基在发生上稍迟于后方雄蕊原基 ,后者与退化雄蕊原基几乎同时发生 ,但较小 ,并与近轴心皮 (或柱头上唇 )对生。将该属与玄参科 (Scrophulari aceae)的地黄属 (Rehmannia)、苦苣苔科 (Gesneriaceae)的异叶苣苔属 (Whytockia)和尖舌苣苔属 (Rhynchoglossum)的花部器官比较发现     

The development of pistillate and perfect florets in Xeranthemum squarrosum (Asteraceae)

The formation of capitulum inflorescence with two different types of floret is an interesting issue in floral biology and evolution. Here we studied the inflorescence, floral ontogeny and development of the everlasting herb, Xeranthemum squarrosum, using epi‐illumination microscopy. The small vegetative apex enlarged and produced involucral bracts with helical phyllotaxy, which subtended floret primordia in the innermost whorl. Initiation of floret primordia was followed by an acropetal sequence, except for pistillate peripheral florets. The origin of receptacular bracts was unusual, as they derived from the floral primordia rather than the receptacular surface. The order of whorl initiation in both disc and pistillate flowers included corolla, androecium and finally calyx, together with the gynoecium. The inception of sepals and stamens occurred in unidirectional order starting from the abaxial side, whereas petals incepted unidirectionally from the adaxial or abaxial side. Substantial differences were observed in flower structure and the development between pistillate and perfect florets. Pistillate florets presented a zygomorphic floral primordium, tetramerous corolla and androecium and two sepal lobes. In these florets, two sepal lobes and four stamen primordia stopped growing, and the ovary developed neither an ovule nor a typical stigma. The results suggest that peripheral pistillate florets in X. squarrosum, which has a bilabiate corolla, could be considered as an intermediate state between ancestral bilabiate florets and the derived ray florets.     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN CAESALPINIA (LEGUMINOSAE)

Utilizing scanning electron microscopy, we studied the early floral ontogeny of three species of Caesalpinia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae): C. cassioides, C. pulcherrima, and C. vesicaria. Interspecific differences among the three are minor at early and middle stages of floral development. Members of the calyx, corolla, first stamen whorl, and second stamen whorl appear in acropetal order, except that the carpel is present before appearance of the last three inner stamens. Sepals are formed in generally unidirectional succession, beginning with one on the abaxial side next to the subtending bracts, followed by the two lateral sepals and adaxial sepal, then lastly the other adaxial sepal. In one flower of C. vesicaria, sepals were helically initiated. In the calyx, the first-initiated sepal maintains a size advantage over the other four sepals and eventually becomes cucullate, enveloping the remaining parts of the flower. The cucullate abaxial sepal is found in the majority of species of the genus Caesalpinia. Petals, outer stamens, and inner stamens are formed unidirectionally in each whorl from the abaxial to the adaxial sides of the flower. Abaxial stamens are present before the last petals are visible as mounds on the adaxial side, so that the floral apex is engaged in initiation of different categories of floral organs at the same time.     

Elucidating the unusual floral features of Swartzia dipetala (Fabaceae)

In this study, we evaluated the floral ontogeny of Swartzia dipetala, which has peculiar floral features compared with other legumes, such as an entire calyx in the floral bud, a corolla with one or two petals, a dimorphic and polyandrous androecium and a bicarpellate gynoecium. We provide new information on the function of pollen in both stamen morphs and whether both carpels of a flower are able to form fruit. Floral buds, flowers and fruits were processed for observation under light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and for quantitative analyses. The entire calyx results from the initiation, elongation and fusion of three sepal primordia. A unique petal primordium (or rarely two) is produced on the adaxial side of a ring meristem, which is formed after the initiation of the calyx. The polyandrous and dimorphic androecium also originates from the activity of the ring meristem. It produces three larger stamen primordia on the abaxial side and numerous smaller stamen primordia on the adaxial side. These two types of stamens bear morphologically similar ripening pollen grains. However, prior to the dehiscence of thecae and presentation of pollen in the anther, only the pollen grains of the larger stamens contain amyloplasts. Two carpel primordia are initiated as distinct protuberances, alternating with the larger stamens, in a slightly inner position in the floral meristem, constituting the bicarpellate gynoecium. Both carpels are able to form fruit, although only one fruit is generally produced in a flower. The increase in gynoecium merism probably results in an increase in the surface deposition of pollen grains and consequently in the chance of pollination. This is the first study to thoroughly investigate organogenesis and the ability of the carpel to form fruit in a bicarpellate flower from a member of Fabaceae, in addition to the pollen ultrastructure in the heteromorphic stamens associated with the ‘division of labour’ sensu Darwin. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 303–320.     

Floral organogenesis of Chloranthus sessilifolius, with special emphasis on the morphological nature of the androecium of Chloranthus (Chloranthaceae)

 Floral organogenesis of Chloranthus sessilifolius K. F. Wu is described. The inflorescence primordium is dome-like in the beginning and then elongates, and bract primordia initiate almost decussately. Each floral primordium, arising from the axil of a bract, soon becomes a scale-like structure, with three primordia of androecial lobes originating from its abaxial part, and the gynoecial primordium in adaxial position. As the androecial lobes become more distinct, four thecae are already in differentiation, and the gynoecial primordium appears as a shallow disc. The androecial lobes do not extend their length until the thecae approach maturity and the stigma is differentiated. The androecial lobes are united at all the stages of development, and the entire androecium falls off as a unit at the end of anthesis. Based on these results, combined with published evidence from neobotany, palaeobotany and phylogenetic studies, the morphological nature of the androecium of Chloranthus is further discussed. Our studies support the viewpoint that the androecial structure of Chloranthus may have arisen by splitting of a single stamen with 2 marginal thecae. Received May 2, 2001 Accepted December 18, 2001     

弯齿盾果草(紫草科)花序及花的形态发生

以弯齿盾果草不同发育时期的花芽为材料,在体视显微镜解剖观察的基础上使用扫描电镜对弯齿盾果草花序、花及果实的发育过程进行了观察。结果显示:(1)弯齿盾果草的花序是由最初的一个球形花序原基经过多次分裂形成的,且花序发生式样符合蝎尾状聚伞花序结构,而非通常所描述的镰状或螺状聚伞花序;花序发生过程中无单一主轴,花序轴是由侧枝连接而成,每一朵花原基有其对应的1枚苞片,下一花原基是从相邻的上一枚苞腋里发生,相邻两花原基交错互生。(2)花器官的发生是按照花萼原基、花冠原基、雄蕊原基和雌蕊原基的顺序发育,但雄蕊原基的花药部分发育速度要比花冠原基快,所以花器官的发育是按照花萼、雄蕊、花冠和雌蕊的顺序发育。(3)子房四深裂结构是由4个原基分别发育,而后相互靠拢而成。(4)小坚果表面的附属结构发生于子房发育后期,其背面的内外层突起分别是由生长较快的外部组织的边缘通过上部内缩和下部向外环状生长形成。     

A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY ON THE INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLORAL ORGANS OF BRASSICA NAPUS (CV. WESTAR)

The initiation and development of the floral organs of Brassica napus L. (cv. Westar) were examined using the scanning electron microscope. After transition of the vegetative apex into an inflorescence apex, flower primordia were initiated in a helical phyllotactic pattern. The sequence of initiation of the floral organs in a flower bud was that of sepals, stamens, petals and gynoecium. Of the four sepal primordia, the abaxial was initiated first, followed by the two lateral and finally the adaxial primordium. The four long stamens were initiated simultaneously in positions alternating with the sepals. The two short stamens were initiated basipetal to and outside the long stamens, and opposite the lateral sepals. The petals arose on either side of the two short stamens and the gynoecium was produced from the remainder of the apex. During development, the sepal primordia curved sharply at the tips and tightly enclosed the other organs. Stamen primordia developed tetralobed anthers at an early stage while filament elongation occurred just prior to anthesis. A unique pattern of bulbous cells was present on the abaxial surface of the anther. Growth of petal primordia lagged relative to the other floral organs but expansion was rapid prior to anthesis. The gynoecium primordium was characterized by an invagination early in development. At maturity, there was differentiation of a papillate stigma, an elongated style and a long ovary marked externally by sutures and divided internally by a septum. Distinct patterns of cuticular thickenings were observed on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the petals and stamens and on the surface of the style. The patterns were less obvious on the sepals and ovary. Stomata were present on both surfaces of the mature sepals, on the style and restricted areas on the abaxial surface of the anthers and nectaries but were absent from the petals, the adaxial surface of the stamens and the ovary. No hairs were present on any of the floral organs.     

Floral ontogeny in Dipterygeae (Fabaceae) reveals new insights into one of the earliest branching tribes in papilionoid legumes

Flowers of Dipterygeae (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) exhibit an unusual petaloid calyx. The two adaxial sepals are large and petaloid, and the three abaxial sepals form a three‐toothed lobe. The goal of this study was to elucidate the ontogenetic pathways of this peculiar calyx in light of the floral development of the three genera that comprise the tribe. Floral buds of Dipteryx alata, Pterodon pubescens and Taralea oppositifolia were analysed using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The order of bracteole and sepal initiation varies among the species. The androecium is asymmetric. The carpel cleft is positioned to the right or to the left, and is opposite the adaxial antepetalous stamen. The peculiarity of the calyx becomes noticeable in the intermediate stages of floral development. It results from the differential growth of the sepal primordia, in which the abaxial and lateral primordia remain diminutive during floral development, compared with the adaxial ones that enlarge and elongate. Bracteoles, abaxial sepals, petals and anthers are appendiculate, except in T. oppositifolia, in which the appendices were not found in bracteoles or anthers. These appendices comprise secretory canals or cavities. Considering that the ontogenetic pathway for the formation of the petaloid calyx is similar and exclusive for Dipterygeae, it might be a potential synapomorphy for the group, with the presence of secretory canals in the appendices of abaxial and lateral sepals and petals. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 174 , 529–550.     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN MYRISTICA (MYRISTICACEAE)

Myristica fragrans and M. malabarica are dioecious. Both staminate and pistillate plants produce axillary flowering structures. Each pistillate flower is solitary, borne terminally on a short, second-order shoot that bears a pair of ephemeral bracts. Each staminate inflorescence similarly produces a terminal flower and, usually, a third-order, racemose axis in the axil of each pair of bracts. Each flower on these indeterminate axes is in the axil of a bract. On the abaxial side immediately below the perianth, each flower has a bracteole, which is produced by the floral apex. Three tepal primordia are initiated on the margins of the floral apex in an acyclic pattern. Subsequent intercalary growth produces a perianth tube. Alternate with the tepals, three anther primordia arise on the margins of a broadened floral apex in an acyclic or helical pattern. Usually two more anther primordia arise adjacent to each of the first three primordia, producing a total of nine primordia. At this stage the floral apex begins to lose its meristematic appearance, but the residuum persists. Intercalary growth below the floral apex produces a columnar receptacle. The anther primordia remain adnate to the receptacle and grow longitudinally as the receptacle elongates. Each primordium develops into an anther with two pairs of septate, elongate microsporangia. In pistillate flowers, a carpel primordium encircles the floral apex eventually producing an ascidiate carpel with a cleft on the oblique apex and upper adaxial wall. The floral ontogeny supports the morphological interpretation of myristicaceous flowers as trimerous with either four-sporangiate anthers or monocarpellate pistils.     

Floral Organogenesis and Development of Two Taxa in Tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae)?aPrzewalskia tangutica and Hyoscyamus niger

Floral organogenesis and development of Przewalskia tangutica Maxim.endemic to China and Hyoscyamus niger L., which belong to the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae), were studied using scanning electron microscope. They have three common characters of floral organ initiation and development: 1) initiation of the floral organs in the two species follows Hofmeister’s rule; 2) the mode of corolla tube development belongs to the “late sympetaly” type; 3) primordia of the floral appendages initiated in a pentamerous pattern and acropetal order. But initiation of the calyx lobe primordia showed different modes in these two species. The calyx lobe primordia of H. niger have simultaneously whorled initiation, while those of P. tangutica have helical initiation, but the five calyx lobe primordia form a ring after all five calyx lobe primordia occur. The systematic significance of the present results in the genera Hyoscyamus and Przewalskia is discussed in this paper.     

马先蒿属花冠无喙类的花器官发生

对花冠无喙类密穗马先蒿(Pedicularis densispica)和大王马先蒿(P．rex)的花器官电镜扫描发现,两种不同花冠型(无齿和具齿)的马先蒿花部器官发生和发育初期十分相似,表现为明显的单轴对称。2个萼片原基首先发生于花顶的近轴侧位,然后沿花顶边缘向远轴端发育形成--马蹄形结构。密穗马先蒿在近轴中部又出现1枚萼片原基,随后马蹄形结构分化出4枚萼片,并与近轴中部的原基愈合后构成5齿萼片;而大王马先蒿的2齿萼片直接由马蹄形结构发育而成。5枚独立的花瓣原基随后发生,但发育相对滞后;除近轴中部位置1枚空缺外,4枚雄蕊原基与花瓣原基位置呈交互发生;2个心皮原基同时在拱形花顶的近轴和远轴端发生,剩余的花顶形成中间的隔膜,并与2个心皮形成中轴胎座。对马先蒿与金鱼草(Antirrhinum majus)和毛地黄(Digitalis purpurea)花器官发生和发育初期的特征进行了比较,讨论了马先蒿属花冠对称性变化的意义。     

STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERIANTH IN DOWNINGIA BACIGALUPII

The structure and ontogeny of the calyx and corolla of Downingia bacigalupii Weiler (Campanulaceae; Lobelioideae) were investigated for the purpose of comparing perianth development with previous observations on the floral bract, as well as elucidating the mechanism of development of the zygomorphic, sympetalous corolla. Sepals are uni-traced with a palmate, reticulate venation. They have basal and apical hydathodes, as well as storage tracheids. Sepals show a reduction in size, venation and hydathode number when compared to the bract. The pentamerous, zygomorphic corolla is bilabiate, consisting of a three-lobed adaxial lip and a two-lobed abaxial lip connected by a short tubular region. The constituent petal lobes are also uni-traced and have a reticulate venation, resembling that of the sepal and bract, but lack storage tracheids and hydathodes. Sepals arise in an adaxial to abaxial succession and are initiated in the outer corpus layer of the floral apex. Expansion of the floral apex follows and is accompanied by the establishment of a second tunica layer. Sepals undergo apical, marginal, and intercalary growth accompanied by acropetal differentiation of procambium. The petals arise simultaneously and are initiated in the second tunica layer and the outer corpus cells. After initiation, the petals exhibit a period of apical and marginal growth followed by intercalary growth. Apical growth in petals is less protracted than in sepals, but plate meristem activity is more extensive. The free petal lobes become temporarily fused by an interlocking of marginal epidermal layers, but they separate at anthesis. Zonal growth beneath the originally free lobes forms the tube and lip regions of the sympetalous corolla. Zygomorphy is evident from the time of initiation of petals and is accentuated by later differential growth. Comparative observations of corolla ontogeny in autogamous species of Doumingia indicate that the reduced corollas in these taxa are derived by a simple process of neoteny.     

Comparative ontogeny of perfect and pistillate florets in Senecio vernalis (Asteraceae)

We studied the inflorescence, and in particular ontogeny and development of the florets in Senecio vernalis as a representative member of Asteraceae, using epi-illumination microscopy. Initiation and subsequent development of florets on the highly convex inflorescence apex occur acropetally, except for pistillate ray florets, which show a lag in initiation. Receptacular bracts derive from the receptacular surface after development of all florets. The order of whorl initiation in both disc and ray florets include corolla, androecium and finally the pappus, together with the gynoecium. Development of corolla lobes from a ring meristem occurs in bidirectional order starting from the lateral side, whereas stamens incept unidirectionally from the abaxial side. Concurrently with the inception of two median carpel primordia, a ring meristem develops at the base of the corolla from which pappus bristles differentiate in later stages. Pistillate ray florets show significant differences from perfect disc florets as reflected by the zygomorphic shape of the floral apex and a shift of floral merosity from pentamery to tetramery. Loss of stamens in ray florets occurs due to abortion of primordia after initiation.     

FLORAL MORPHOLOGY,ORGANOGENESIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE INFERIOR OVARY IN DOWNINGIA BACIGALUPII

The inflorescence of Downingia bacigalupii (Campanulaceae; Lobelioideae) is an indeterminate spike. Axillary flowers have a long, linear, inferior ovary with parietal placentation, a pentamerous synsepalous calyx, zygomorphic sympetalous corolla, syngenesious stamens, and a bicarpellate, syncarpous gynoecium. On the basis of floral vascular anatomy the inferior ovary is interpreted as appendicular, representing adnation of outer floral whorls to the gynoecium. Floral ontogeny shows that sepals are initiated in an adaxial to abaxial sequence rather than the 2/5 phyllotaxis reported for other members of Lobelioideae. Growth of the common bases of sepal lobes forms a floral cup and initiation of the following floral whorls occurs along the inner margins of the cup. Continued basal growth of the cup-shaped bud results in the formation of the elongated inferior ovary. Earlier evidence for the interpretation of a cup-shaped receptacle during development of epigynous flowers is reexamined and it is concluded that the concave floral bud of D. bacigalupii can also be interpreted as common growth of connate floral whorls, supporting interpretations based on vascular anatomy. Comparison of floral development between Downingia bacigalupii and Pereskia aculeata (Cactaceae) reveals ontogenetic differences between flowers with appendicular and receptacular cups.     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT OF COCHLOSPERMUM TINCTORIUM AND BIXA ORELLANA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE ANDROECIUM

The initiation and development of the flower of Bixa orellana L. and Cochlospermum tinctorium A. Rich, were investigated using the scanning electron microscope to elucidate the nature of the androecial development and the relationships of both taxa. Initiation of floral buds starts with the inception of five sepals in a 2/5 sequence between two bracteoles. The petals are formed successively on the irregular pentagonal apex in a phyllotactic pattern different from that of the calyx. Stamen development proceeds centrifugally on a broad circular primordium or ringwall, which attains its final size at the time of initiation of individual stamens. Stamen primordia arise in successive whorls without connection to the perianth. The residue of the apex is differentiated into a gynoecial circular primordium. In Cochlospermum 3 to 4 carpels are initiated; in Bixa no individual carpels are visible. The origin of the androecial circular primordium is discussed in relation to other types of androecial development. A comparison is made with existing theories of the evolution of multistaminate androecia. Few differences were found in the floral development of Bixa and Cochlospermum, except in the gynoecium. It is proposed to retain them in a single family Bixaceae for a number of reasons. The floral development supports a thealean, dillenialean, or violalean affinity rather than a malvalean. The inception of a broad androecial circular primordium is highly different from the development in Malvales, where more space for stamens is provided by the continuous growth of a tube.     

QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN VERONICA CHAMAEDRYS AND VERONICASTRUM VIRGINICUM (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

Development in Veronica and Veronicastrum was studied to elucidate the growth patterns responsible for differences between their mature flowers. Nineteen floral dimensions were measured on buds from initiation to anthesis, and representative stages were recorded with the scanning electron microscope. Bivariate plots indicate the heterochronic changes responsible for the derived flower form of Veronica. The growth patterns of the gynoecium and androecium were little changed. The calyx of Veronica showed slower size increase at the early stages, but continued to grow after that of Veronicastrum had stopped. The most striking change occurred in the corolla lobes of Veronica, where growth was retarded until the beginning of style formation, but afterward was accelerated relative to that of Veronicastrum. The corolla tube of Veronica remained short due to a later onset of growth and slower enlargement later in development. Multigroup principal components analysis (M-PCA) was used to summarize the measurements. The distribution of points along M-PC 1 describes size increase during floral development. Along M-PC 2 the trajectories of the two taxa diverge after the beginning of style growth, while along M-PC 3 they differ from the earliest stages on, corroborating differences observed with the scanning electron microscope. M-PCA can thus be used to portray differences in patterns of floral development, facilitating simultaneous quantitative comparisons of two or more taxa.     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN OTTAWA AND FLOREX RED CLOVER TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE (PAPILIONOIDEAE: LEGUMINOSAE)

Floral development in Florex and Ottawa cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.: Leguminosae) was examined by scanning electron microscopy. No differences between the two cultivars were found. The terminal inflorescence is initiated in the axil of the penultimate bract before the final bract is initiated. After initiation of the final bract, the remnant apical dome is transformed to become the least mature part of the inflorescence dome. Subsequent inflorescences are initiated laterally in basipetal sequence. Inflorescence development is zygomorphic. This leads to an unusual pattern of floret initiation, the oldest florets resting basally and proximal to the penultimate bract. Florets develop with zygomorphic symmetry, each whorl of floral organs developing unidirectionally from the abaxial side. Initiation of the adaxial organ of each whorl is delayed until the abaxial organ of the succeeding whorl has been initiated. Thus there is overlapping development of the whorls of organs. The antepetalous stamens arise in close association with their respective petal primordia. As development proceeds, the corolla tube and the staminal tube exhibit basal zonal growth. In the mature flower, above the distal zone of fusion of the keel petals, marginal cells project and interlock, producing a pollination mechanism that can be sprung by the pollinator.     

毛舞花姜花器官的发生与发育

通过扫描电镜观察了毛舞花姜(Globba barthei Gagne p.)的花序及花器官的发生与发育。3枚萼片原基首先于花顶连续发生,随后花顶的中心凹陷形成环状原基,环状原基进一步分化形成三枚花瓣—雄蕊共同原基,并在花顶的中心形成花杯。共同原基分化形成花瓣和三枚内轮雄蕊,紧接着外轮雄蕊在花杯的顶点发生。远轴的两枚内轮雄蕊延伸生长并相互融合形成了唇瓣,近轴的一枚形成了可育雄蕊;近轴的两枚外轮雄蕊发育形成了成熟花结构中的侧生退化雄蕊,而远轴的一枚缺失。近轴的两枚外轮雄蕊原基起始的同时,3枚心皮原基也在中心花杯的内侧发生而后与外轮雄蕊相间排列。对毛舞花姜花序的发生和发育的观察发现,在花序轴的头几片初级苞片中产生的是珠芽原基而非蝎尾状小花序原基,其形态特征类似于早期的蝎尾状小花序原基,由此推测珠芽很可能是蝎尾状小花序的变异。     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN GYMNOTHECA CHINENSIS (SAURURACEAE)

The development of the inflorescence and flowers are described for Gymnotheca chinensis Decaisne (Saururaceae), which is native only to southeast China. The inflorescence is a short terminal spike of about 50–70 flowers, each subtended by a small bract. There are no showy involucral bracts. The bracts are initiated before the flowers, in acropetal order. Flowers tend to be initiated in whorls of three which alternate with the previous whorl members. No perianth is present. The flower contains six stamens, and four carpels fused in an inferior ovary containing 40–60 ovules on four parietal placentae. Floral symmetry is dorsiventral from inception and throughout organ initiation. Floral organs are initiated in the following order: 1) median adaxial stamen, 2) a pair of lateral common primordia which bifurcate radially to produce two stamen primordia each, 3) median abaxial stamen, 4) a pair of lateral carpel primordia, 5) median adaxial carpel, 6) median abaxial carpel. This order of initiation differs from that of any other Saururaceae previously investigated. The inferior ovary results from intercalary growth below the level of stamen attachment; the style elongates by intercalary growth, and the four stigmas remain free. The floral structure of Gymnotheca is relatively advanced compared to Saururus, but its assemblage of specializations differs from that of either Anemopsis or Houttuynia, the other derived genera in the Saururaceae.