Floral Morphogenesis of Anemone rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex DC. var.flore-minore Maxim. （Ranunculaceae） with Special Emphasis on Androecium Developmental Sequence

The floral morphogenesis and androecium developmental sequence of Anemone rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex DC. var.flore-rninore Maxim. were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and by means of histological methods in order to expand our knowledge of the morphogenesis and development of the floral organs of the Ranunculaceae. The initiation of the floral elements is a centripetal spiral and the direction of the spiral is clockwise or anti-clockwise. However, the development of the androecium is highly unusual: in a longitudinal series of four stamens, the second stamen develops first from the inner to outer, then the third one, the fourth one and the first one in turn. The microsporogenesisand ant her maturation follows the same developmental sequence. The tepals are different from the bracts and the stamens in both shape and size in the early developmental stage, but there is no difference between the stamens and carpels in the early developmental stage. Therefore, we established a spatio-temporal process of the floral morphogenesis ofA. rivularis var.flore-rninore and offer another meaning of the floral diversity patterns attributed to the level of the genus.     

Early floral development of Pentaphylacaceae (Ericales) and its systematic implications

Early floral development of four species from the genera Anneslea, Cleyera, Eurya, and Ternstroemia of Pentaphylacaceae, was studied comparatively using scanning electron microscopy. Together with earlier studies in Euryodendron and Adinandra, 6 out of 12 genera of Pentaphylacaceae have now been studied for their floral development. The usually pentamerous flowers of these taxa share a number of developmental features: the perianth organs appear in a clockwise or anticlockwise spiral sequence on the floral apex with relatively long plastochrons between successive organs, resulting in conspicuous size differences among perianth organs during early developmental stages. The early development of the usually polystemonous androecium is characterized by an indistinct ring-primordium and a mostly concave floral apex; individual stamens appear subsequently on this ring-primordium. However, further development of the androecium differs conspicuously among taxa and we describe three main developmental patterns for the family including features such as centripetal stamen whorls and stamens fascicles. Unusual features of floral development and organization of Pentaphylacaceae include: (1) a pronounced spiral sequence of organ appearance during early floral development in perianth and androecium; (2) the occurrence of paired organs in the corolla and the androecium of some species; (3) sepals and petals that are positioned opposite from each other in the genera Anneslea and Ternstroemia; and (4) a concave floral apex at the beginning of androecium development. From a systematic point of view our results clearly support a close relationship between Anneslea and Ternstroemia and also suggest a closer relationship among Adinandra, Cleyera, and Euryodendron on the one hand and between Eurya and Visnea on the other. Further, our developmental study stresses the differences between Pentaphylacaceae and Theaceae, which earlier where thought to form a natural group of plants. While high stamen numbers are achieved via centripetal pattern of stamen formation in the former family, stamens are formed centrifugally in the latter.     

Floral morphogenesis of Wikstroemia delavayi (Thymelaeaceae) and its phylogenetic implication

Floral morphogenesis of Wikstroemia delavayi Lecomte was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared with its allied groups. Initiation and early development of floral parts in W. delavayi followed unidirectional sequences from the abaxial side to the adaxial side. Because the floral parts grew faster at the adaxial side than at the abaxial one in following development, the zygomorphic pattern in the early development changed and finally became an almost actinomorphic form at anthesis. The disc was initiated from the abaxial base of the floral tube and itslobes were alternate with lower whorl stamens. According to this initiatial and developmental pattern, it is reasonable to interpret the disc as a part of the androecium rather than a modification of the receptacle. The located position and development of the disc was correlative with the development of other floral organs, which might provide insight to delimit Wikstroemia and Daphne based on different floral developmental pattern that might exist between the two genera. The developmental process of W. delavayi indicated that the syncarpous and uniloculate gynoecium was in fact bicarpellate, which consisted of a fertile carpel and a sterile one. It was pseudomonomerous. Even though the ovary in both Wikstroemia and Daphne was uniloculate, the location of the ventral bundles in the ovary was obviously different from each other according to data to date. In this respect, further investigation is undertaken between the two genera.     

黄连属(毛茛科)花的形态发生

本文运用扫锚电子显微镜(SEM)观察了黄连属(Coptis)植物花的形态发生和发育过程, 结果表明, 该属植物所有的花部器官均为螺旋状发生, 雄蕊为向心式发育, 花瓣原基有微弱的延迟发育, 心皮原基为对折型(即马蹄形), 子房为半封闭类型, 子房柄是在发育过程中形成的。通过与其它具T-型染色体类群在花形态发生上的比较, 认为黄连属表现出了某些原始的性状, 这一结果与分子系统学研究认为黄连属为毛茛科的基部类群的结论一致。     

Floral Developmental Evidence for the Systematic Relationships of Tropaeolum(Tropaeolaceae)

The floral ontogeny of three species of Tropaeolum was studiedusing scanning electron microscopy to find morphological evidencefor discussing the systematic position of the family. The initiationof the androecium is highly unusual: there are always eightstamens which arise (1) either in a spiral sequence startingwith the stamen opposite sepal four, running in a directionopposite to the sequence of the sepals, and with reversals inthe direction of the spiral, or (2) as a sequence of pairedand unpaired stamens. The floral symmetry changes twice duringthe development of the flower, from polysymmetrical at sepaland petal initiation, through oblique monosymmetry at stameninitiation, and ending with median monosymmetry in later developmentalstages. The occurrence of median monosymmetry is a late-developmentalevent and is caused by the initiation of a hypanthial spur,and the unequal growth of the petals and styles. The originfor the unusual sequence of stamen initiation reflects a trendaffecting the whole flower which is linked with the changingpatterns of floral symmetry. Octandry is enhanced by multiplecauses, such as the loss of two stamens in an originally diplostemonousandroecium and the regulating pressure of the gynoecium. Thechange in symmetry during ontogeny is significant for discussingthe systematic position of Tropaeolaceae in comparison withthe glucosinolate-producing taxa and the Sapindales. The combinationof an androecium with eight stamens and oblique monosymmetryis either a single event in evolution and links Tropaeolum withthe Sapindales, or it has evolved at least twice, once in theSapindales, and once in a clade comprising Tropaeolaceae, Akaniaceaeand Bretschneideraceae. Morphological data support a sistergroup relationship of the three latter families, which is inline with macromolecular studies. Copyright 2001 Annals of BotanyCompany Tropaeolum, Tropaeolaceae, Glucosinolate clade, Sapindales, oblique monosymmetry, androecium, octandry, floral development, phylogeny     

Early floral development and androecium organization in Fouquieriaceae (Ericales)

Early floral development with focus on the androecium was studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy and serial microtome sectioning in Fouquieria columnaris and F. splendens. Perianth organs appear in a spiral pattern on the floral apex. The spiral may be a clockwise or anti-clockwise. The androecium is best interpreted as two-whorled with all the stamens arranged in a single series. In F. splendens, two or more of the five epipetalous stamen positions are doubled, i.e. they are occupied by stamen pairs. Unusual features in the floral development of Fouquieriaceae include (1) a strong spiral component even in whorled organ categories and (2) a pronouncedly asymmetric floral apex during an early phase of floral development. From a phylogenetic point of view, it seems plausible that the common ancestor of Fouquieriaceae and its sister family Polemoniaceae was characterized by two alternating, pentamerous stamen-whorls.     

澜沧荛花(瑞香科)的花部形态发生 及其系统学意义

通过扫描电镜对澜沧荛花Wikstroemia delavayi花部的形态发生过程进行了观察和分析,旨在为该属的系统学研究提供花部发育形态学资料。澜沧尧花花部的发生和早期发育呈远轴面向近轴面的顺序,但这一式样由于近轴面的器官在早期发育之后生长加速发生了转变。因此,花开放时所表现的所谓辐射对称,显然是由同一轮器官的异率生长所导致的次生现象。花盘发生于花萼筒基部的远轴面上,与花萼、雄蕊的发生间隔时间较长。花盘原基在下轮雄蕊着生处凹陷或间断,与之相对应,花盘裂片与下轮雄蕊呈互生。由此,花盘显然不是花托的一部分,也不是象花萼、雄蕊和心皮一样的独立结构,将其解释为雄蕊群的一部分更合理。花盘的发生和早期发育及其着生位置同其他花部器官的发生和发育式样具有明显的相关性,这种相关性对进一步阐明瑞香属Daphne和荛花属Wikstroemia的系统发育关系具有—定意义。根据对雌蕊群的发生和发育过程观察,该种的子房是由一个近轴面的可育心皮和一个远轴面的不育心皮融合而成的单室子房,为假单心皮雌蕊。尽管荛花属和瑞香属均属于单室产房,但澜沧荛花的子房维管束中的腹束排列于中轴位置,而目前资料显示瑞香属植物的腹束接近于侧膜位置,这方面仍需进一步研究。     

Floral development of Kingdonia (Ranunculaceae s. l., Ranunculales)

The flower of Kingdonia has a terminal position, thus the rhizome is sympodial. The floral organs initiate in spiral phyllotaxis. The androecium is centripetal in initiation but the sterile stamens are retarded in development compared with the fertile ones. The apex of the young carpel does not participate in the conduplication. The floral organs have single vascular traces and unilacunar nodes.The study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30370095 and 30130030).     

Floral development of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., Boerhaavia diffusa L. and Mirabilis jalapa L. (Nyctaginaceae)

Three morphological problems were investigated in three species of the Nyctaginaceae: epiphylly, phyllotaxis and placentation. Epiphylly, which occurs in Bougainvillea spectabilis , is the result of ontogenetic displacement resulting from the activity of an intercalary meristem at the base of the floral bract and the floral bud. Floral development of Bougainvillea spectabilis was compared with that of Boerhaavia diffusa and Mirabilis jalapa . Considerable variation occurs with regard to the number and arrangement of stamens. Five stamens are initiated simultaneously, alternate to the petals, in Mirabilis . In Bougainvillea , eight stamens arise sequentially at divergence angles suggestive of a 3/8 spiral. No developmental evidence was found to support the derivation of the eight stamens from a two whorled pentamerous androecium. Boerhaavia normally has only two stamens which most frequently are initiated toward opposite sides of the floral apex, but may also be formed in a 2/5 to 3/8 divergence. In some flowers only one or three stamens are formed. The gynoecium is formed in the same way in all three species: growth occurs in a crescent-shaped zone at the periphery of the floral apex thus producing the gynoecial wall. The single ovule, which is basal in the mature gynoecium, is formed from the gradual upgrowth and transformation of the floral apex and is developmentally terminal. Even the two-layered tunica is maintained as the floral apex is transformed into the ovule primordium. If 'carpel' is defined traditionally as a folded megasporophyll which bears and encloses ovule(s) then carpels are not present in the gynoecia of the three species studied. If 'carpel' is re-defined as an appendage which encloses ovule(s), then the gynoecia of the Nyctaginaceae are carpellate. However, the ovules remain cauline regardless of which definition is adopted.     

澜沧荛花(瑞香科)的花部形态发生yh及其系统学意义(英文)

通过扫描电镜对澜沧荛花Wikstroemiadelavayi花部的形态发生过程进行了观察和分析 ,旨在为该属的系统学研究提供花部发育形态学资料。澜沧荛花花部的发生和早期发育呈远轴面向近轴面的顺序 ,但这一式样由于近轴面的器官在早期发育之后生长加速发生了转变。因此 ,花开放时所表现的所谓辐射对称 ,显然是由同一轮器官的异率生长所导致的次生现象。花盘发生于花萼筒基部的远轴面上 ,与花萼、雄蕊的发生间隔时间较长。花盘原基在下轮雄蕊着生处凹陷或间断 ,与之相对应 ,花盘裂片与下轮雄蕊呈互生。由此 ,花盘显然不是花托的一部分 ,也不是象花萼、雄蕊和心皮一样的独立结构 ,将其解释为雄蕊群的一部分更合理。花盘的发生和早期发育及其着生位置同其他花部器官的发生和发育式样具有明显的相关性 ,这种相关性对进一步阐明瑞香属Daphne和荛花属Wikstroemia的系统发育关系具有一定意义。根据对雌蕊群的发生和发育过程观察 ,该种的子房是由一个近轴面的可育心皮和一个远轴面的不育心皮融合而成的单室子房 ,为假单心皮雌蕊。尽管荛花属和瑞香属均属于单室子房 ,但澜沧荛花的子房维管束中的腹束排列于中轴位置 ,而目前资料显示瑞香属植物的腹束接近于侧膜位置 ,这方面仍需进一步研究     

Pseudodiplostemony, and its implications for the evolution of the androecium in the Caryophyllaceae

The androecium of the Caryophyllaceae is varied, ranging from a two-whorled condition to a single stamen. A number of species belonging to the three subfamilies, Caryophyl-loideae, Alsinoideae and Paronychioideae have been studied ontogenetically with the SEM to understand their peculiar androecial development in the broader context of the Caryophyllales alliance. Although patterns of initiation are highly variable among species, there are three ontogenetic modes of stamen initiation: all stamens simultaneous within a whorl, the antepetalous stamens simultaneous and the antesepalous sequentially with a reversed direction, or both whorls sequentially with or without a reversed direction. The most common floral (ontogenetic) sequence of the Caryophyllaceae runs as follows: five sepals (in a 2/5 sequence), the stamens in front of the three inner sepals successively, stamens opposite the two outermost sepals, five antepetalous stamens (simultaneously or in a reversed spiral superimposed on the spiral of the antesepalous stamens), five outer sterile (petaloid) organs arising before, simultaneously or after the antesepalous stamens, often by the division of common primordia. A comparison with the floral configurations of the Phytolaccaceae and Molluginaceae indicates that the outer petaline whorl of the Caryophyllaceae corresponds positionally to the alternisepalous stamens of somePhytolacca, such asP. dodecandra. The difference withP. dodecandra lies in the fact that an extra inner or outer whorl is formed in the Caryophyl-laceae, in alternation with the sepals. A comparable arrangement exists in the Molluginaceae, though the initiation of stamens is centrifugal. A comparison of floral ontogenies and the presence of reduction series in the Caryophyllaceae support the idea that the pentamerous arrangement is derived from a trimerous prototype. Petals correspond to sterillized stamens and are comparable to two stamen pairs opposite the outer sepals and a single stamen alternating with the third and fifth sepals. Petals are often in a state of reduction; they may be confused with staminodes and they often arise from common stamenpetal primordia. The antesepalous stamen whorl represents an amalgamation of two whorls: initiation is reversed with the stamens opposite the fourth and fifth formed sepals arising before the other, while the stamens opposite the first and second formed sepals are frequently reduced or lost. Reductive trends are correlated with the mode of initiation of the androecium, as well as changes in the number of carpels, and affect the antesepalous and antepetalous whorls in different proportions. It is concluded that the androecium of the Caryophyllaceae is pseudodiplos-temonous and is not comparable to diplostemonous forms in the Dilleniidae and Rosidae. The basic floral formula of Caryophyllaceae is as follows: sepals 5—petals 5 (sterile stamens)—antesepalous stamens 3+2—antepetalous stamens 5 gynoecium 5.     

Notes on the Evolution of Androecial Organisation in the Magnoliophytina (Angiosperms)

This paper aims to summarize briefly and to update our ideas about androecial architecture formulated in earlier publications. Ontogenetic evidence of stamen development, viz. the initiation, arrangement and relationship of stamens to other floral morphomes, can be translated into a semophyletic scheme reflecting the phylogeny of the androecium. The ancestral androecium is discussed in the light of recent theoriesabout angiosperm phylogeny. Two divergent androecial processes are proposed for the angiosperms starting from a spiral androecium with a moderate number of stamens. However, transitions exist between spiral polyandry, numerous stamens in whorls, and chaotic polyandry. From an androecium with several alternating whorls of paired and single stamens, outer stamen pairs are retained following the successive loss of inner stamen whorls. Single stamens instead of pairs occur at the very end of this line and represent a more advanced condition. This line is mostly present in tri- and dimerous flowers. From the same starting point diplostemony (with two alternating whorls of single stamens) originated, again giving rise to various states usually present in pentamerous or tetramerous flowers.     

DEVELOPMENT AND VASCULATURE OF THE FLOWERS OF LOPHOTOCARPUS CALYCINUS AND SAGITTARIA LATIFOLIA (ALISMACEAE)

The development of the bisexual flower of Lophotocarpus calycinus and of the unisexual flowers of Sagittaria latifolia has been observed. In all eases floral organs arise in acropetal succession. In L. calycinus, after initiation of the perianth, the first whorl of stamens to form consists of six stamens and is ordinarily followed by two alternating whorls of six stamens each. The very numerous carpels arc initiated spirally. In the male flower of S. latifolia the androecium develops in spiral order. A few rudimentary carpels appear near the floral apex after initiation of the stamens. There are no staminodia. The female flower has a similar developmental pattern to that of Lophotocarpus except that a prominent residual floral apex is left bare of carpels. The vascular system in all flowers is semiopen, with vascular bundles passing to the floral organs in a pattern unrelated to the relative positions of those organs. The androecia of these two taxa are similar to those of some Butomaceae and relationships based on ontogeny and morphology are suggested. The gynoecia are meristically less specialized but morphologically more specialized than the gynoecia of Butomaceae.     

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN ZYGOPHYLLACEAE. I. THE FLORAL DEVELOPMENT AND VASCULAR ANATOMY OF NITRARIA RETUSA

The floral development and vascular anatomy of Nitraria retusa were investigated in order to understand its characteristic androecium of 15 stamens and to clarify the systematic position of the genus relative to Zygophyllaceae. Sepals arise in a helical sequence and are relatively small at maturity. Petals are initiated almost simultaneously or in a rapid helical sequence. Five stamen primordia arise opposite the sepals. Next, two other antesepalous primordia are incepted centrifugally to the first primordia on the remaining receptacular surface. The outer stamens tend to be squeezed between the petals and upper stamens and appear to make up an antepetalous whorl of stamens. Three carpels arise from a low ringwall and grow into a hairy trilocular pistil. In each locule a single pendulous ovule is present. Disclike nectarial tissue is initiated in pits between the stamens and petals. Long trichomes develop on its surface. It is concluded that the androecium is linked with a haplostemonous condition because the stamens of each triplet develop on strictly localized sectors. The distinction between stamens arising on complex primordia and the inception of three independent units is explained by the “principle of variable proportions.” The vasculature also tends to confirm that the outer stamen pairs belong to antesepalous triplets.     

The floral development and floral anatomy ofChrysosplenium alternifolium, an unusal member of the Saxifragaceae

The floral development and anatomy ofChrysosplenium alternifolium were studied with the scanning electron microscope and light microscope to understand the initiation sequence of the floral organs and the morphology of the flower, and to find suitable floral characters to interpret the systematic position of the genus within the Saxifragaceae. The tetramerous flower shows a highly variable initiation sequence. The median sepals and first stamens arise in a paired sequence resembling a dimerous arrangement, but the first sepal and stamen arise on the side opposite to the bract. Transversal sepals and stamens emerge sequentially, as one side often precedes the other; sepals and stamens occasionally arise on common primordia. Initiation of the gynoecium is more constant with two median carpel primordia arising on a sunken floral apex. Several flowers were found to be pentamerous with a 2/5 initiation sequence. Flowers were invariably found to be apetalous without traces of petals in primordial stages; this condition is interpreted as an apomorphy. It is postulated that the development of a broad gynoecial nectary is responsible for the occurrence of an obdiplostemonous androecium. The gynoecium shows a number of anatomical particularities not observed in other Saxifragaceae. The presence and distribution of colleters is discussed.     

The floral development of Popowia whitei (Annonaceae)

A study of the floral ontogeny of Popowia was carried out to investigate the phyllotactic arrangement of the floral organs and occurring trends in the androecium of Annonaceae. The flower buds arise on a common stalk in the axil of a bract. Three sepals emerge in quick succession and are rapidly overrun in size by two whorls of petals. The androecium is initiated centripetally in successive whorls. A first whorl of three pairs of outer staminodes emerges opposite the outer petals and is followed by nine staminodes. Next a whorl of nine fertile stamens arises in alternation with the second whorl of staminodes. The carpels arise in three alternating whorls of nine. The nature of the perianth parts is morphologically identical. The process of cyclisation of the androecium from a spiral is discussed for Annonaceae and Magnoliidae in general. The inception of the three outer stamen pairs is a widespread reductive step for multistaminate androecia in the process of oligomerization. It is proposed to define the cyclic inception of numerous stamens as whorled polyandry, being an intermediate step between true polyandry and a reduced stamen number in whorls. The absence of a cup-like shape in the carpel development is related to the flattened receptacle.     

驴蹄草属和金莲花属(毛茛科)花器官的形态发生及系统学意义

利用扫描电镜观察了驴蹄草Caltha palustris L.和川陕金莲花Trollius buddae Schipcz.花器官的发生和发育过程。结果显示:驴蹄草和川陕金莲花的所有花器官均螺旋状向心式发生、向心式发育,花器官的螺旋状发生方式在毛茛科Ranunculaceae可能是一种基本式样;苞片、萼片与其他花器官原基的形状明显不同,显示苞片、萼片与其他花器官在系统发生上有所不同;川陕金莲花的花瓣在早期延迟发育且基部具囊,花瓣的延迟发育在毛茛科具花瓣的属中非常普遍,而花瓣基部的囊类似于耧斗菜属Aquilegia一些植物;两个属雄蕊群一纵列雄蕊中的小孢子均向心式发育,这种发育方式在毛茛科可能为基本类型。两个属植物的心皮原基均为对折式,在发育过程中,驴蹄草心皮顶端沿腹缝线形成下延的柱头组织,川陕金莲花不形成明显的柱头组织。根据花形态发生和发育特点,并结合其他研究成果,认为这两个属不应当属于同一个族。     

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。     

Early floral development and androecium organization in the sarracenioid clade (Actinidiaceae,Roridulaceae and Sarraceniaceae) of Ericales

The early floral development of Actinidia (A. arguta, A. callosa, A. chinensis and A. kolomikta; Actinidiaceae), Saurauia (S. montana, S. oldhamii, S. pittieri and S. subspinosa; Actinidiaceae), Roridula gorgonias (Roridulaceae) and Heliamphora nutans (Sarraceniaceae) was studied comparatively using scanning electron microscopy. Late stages of androecium development are additionally presented for Clematoclethra scandens (Actinidiaceae), Darlingtonia californica and Sarracenia leucophylla (Sarraceniaceae). Flowers are typically pentamerous and share a number of developmental features: perianth organs emerge in a clockwise or anticlockwise spiral sequence on the floral apex with relatively long plastochrons between successive organs, resulting in conspicuous size differences among perianth organs in early development; the perianth always consists of two differentiated whorls (unlike earlier interpretations of the perianth in Heliamphora); the androecium is polystemonous in most species and is initiated with leading stamens in alternipetalous positions; successive stamen primordia appear in a lateral succession until a ring‐like structure is formed; and the anthers become inverted shortly before anthesis. Later androecial development differs conspicuously between taxa and further proliferation may be centrifugal, centripetal and/or lateral. For Ericales, unusual features of floral development include: petals initiated in a spiral sequence (but later organized in a whorl) with comparatively long plastochrons between individual petals (except Saurauia); common occurrence of perianth organs in double positions in Actinidiaceae; and anthers that become inverted close to anthesis. The floral development in the sarracenioids is additionally compared with that of other families and clades in Ericales, further emphasizing the highly variable patterns of androecium development in the order.     

Floral morphogenesis of Caltha and Trollius (Ranunculaceae) and its systematic significance

The floral morphogenesis of Caltha palustris L. and Trollius buddae Schipcz. was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The primordia of all floral organs initiate spirally and centripetally and develop centripetally. The spiral initiation sequence may be a basic pattern in Ranunculaceae. The primordia of bracts, sepals, and other floral organs are different in shape: the bract primordia are triangle, the sepal primordia crescent, and the petal (in Trollius), stamen, and carpel primordia hemispheric. This may indicate that the bracts, the sepals and other floral organs are different in origin. The petals are retarded in early developmental stages in Trollius buddae Schipcz, and have purses at the base. The retarded petals are very common in Ranunculaceae and the purse of the petal is similar to that of some Aquilegia species. The microspores in a longitudinal series of stamens develop centripetally in Caltha and Trollius; this may be a basic pattern in Ranunculaceae. The carpel primordia are plicate. In the developmental process of the carpels, the stigmatic tissue appears from the apex of the style and is decurrent along the ventral suture in Caltha, but there is no obvious stigmatic tissue in Trollius. Based on floral morphogenesis characteristics as well as the results from molecular systematics, comparative morphology and palynology studies, we consider that Caltha is not closely related to Trollius and that these two genera should not be treated in the same tribe.