The “basal” angiosperms- paraphyletic assemblage- not a formal taxon recognition

Chapter 7Simpson, 2nd Edition

Taxonomic Recognition APG III

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, 2009 Cladistic analysis of molecular data (1993-2007)

Recognize monophyletic families (-aceae) Orders (-ales) are monophyletic

“convenient placeholders for 1 or more families that appear to comprise a monophyletic group with relatively high certainty”

Monophyletic groups containing several orders are recognized (-ids), monocots, dicots Magnoliids, Commelinids, Rosids, Fabids, Malvids,

Asterids, Lamiids, Campanulids

22% diversity

75% diversity

Basal AngiospermsA. Order AmborellalesAmborellaceae

Amborella tricopoda1/1 (genus/species)

- evergreen shrub of New Caledonia - vessel-less, dioecious, small flowers - laminar stamens, apocarpous, apically-open G - lacks aromatic oil cells (present in rest of basals)

male flowers P 5-8 A ∞

female flowers P 5-8 G 5-6, superior

perianth partslaminar stamens

apically-open G

staminode

Developmental transition between leaf-like bracts and perianth, perianth and stamens, and between stamens and carpels.

Stamens are laminar (leaf-like) and the carpels are sealed by a secretion of sticky fluid, rather than developmentally fused as in most angiosperms.

Doug & Pam Soltis

Amborella Genome Project

Basal Angiosperms

B. Order Nymphaealesvessel-less, perennial aquatics

Nymphaeaceae6/60 (genera/species)tropical/temperate regions

1) large floating leaves (cordate or orbicular)

2) conspicuous, actinomorphic flowers floating to emergent

3) numerous floral parts, mostly spiral

leaves of Victoriaflower of Nymphae

flower of Nuphar

Water Babies

K 4-6 C 8-∞ A∞ G 3-∞ superior or inferior

plants of Nymphae

Basal Angiosperms

Order NymphaealesNymphaeaceae

outer, laminar to inner stamens

Flower with numerous spiral perianth & stamens

Numerous perianth parts & stamens,

inferior ovary

Ovary cross-section

Basal Angiosperms

Order NymphaealesNymphaeaceae

Basal Angiosperms

Order NymphaealesNymphaeaceae

Basal Angiosperms

Order NymphaealesNymphaeaceae

Nymphae and Nuphar in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

C. Order LauralesLauraceae45/2200

1) shrubs or trees

Cinnamomum:cinnamon,

camphor (oils)

Persea (avocado)

A symbol of victory the laurel of ancient history was fashioned into crowns for triumphant heroes and into wreaths for distinguished poets and scholars. From this come the terms poet laureate and baccalaureate (laurel berry), also the expression “resting on his laurels”. The familiar bay leaves of the kitchen are dried laurel leaves used to enhance soups, stews and sauces.

Sassafras flowers

2) aromatic oil glands on evergreen leaves3) undifferentiated perianth4) widespread in tropical and subtropical

areas worldwide5) Note floral parts in 3’s which is considered

a “monocot” trait - more later on this

Magnoliids

P 3+3 A 3-12+ G 1 , superior rarely inferior, hypanthium

Laurus nobilis leaves (bay leaves)

Magnoliids

D. Order MagnolialesMagnoliaceae

7/200 SE U.S. 1) trees or shrubs2) actinomorphic, solitary showy flowers

with undifferentiated petaloid perianth

P∞ A∞ G∞, superior

D. Order MagnolialesMagnoliaceae

3) elongate receptacle

elongate receptacle many spirally arranged floral parts

4) many spirally arranged floral parts

5) fruit = follicle

fruit a follicle (note one red seed from each carpel

Magnoliids P∞ A∞ G∞, superior

D. Order MagnolialesMagnoliaceae

Magnolia

Saucer MagnoliaMagnolia

Magnoliids

D. Order MagnolialesMagnoliaceae

Magnoliids

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree, a valuable lumber species)