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)