Seed morphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of Phyllocladus L. C. & A-Rich. ex Mirb. (Phyllocladaceae (Pilg.) Bessey) in connection with the generic system and phylogeny

To analyse the status and phylogeny of the genus Phyllocladus, seeds of all seven species of the genus were studied. The complex of features of the Phyllocladus reproductive system point to the isolated position of the genus within the conifers. Relations with Podocarpaceae s.l., Taxaceae s.l. and Cephalotaxaceae appeared to be remote because a complex of features clearly distinguishes Phyllocladus from the afore-mentioned taxa. We find it advisable to circumscribe the family Phyllocladaceae as Bessey (1907) did, and place it into the order Taxales Knobl. in Warming (1890). From investigations of the seeds it appears the genus Phyllocladus consists of seven species, forming five groups. There is a significant tendency for transformation of the female reproductive structures within the generic boundaries of Phyllocladus-seeds, originally solitary, tending to aggregate in various kinds of compact clusters. (C) 1999 Annals of Botany Company.