XVI International Botanical Congess

We studied gynoecium structure (morphology, histology) of anthetic flowers in species of 86 representative genera of all 32 families of the magnoliids and, in addition, of several families of basal eudicots and monocots. Comparing recent phylogenetic hypotheses of basal angiosperms we searched for informative gynoecial characters and also produced cladograms based on gynoecial characters. Characters of special interest in the basalmost clades (Amborella and relatives) are angiospermy by secretion and without postgenital fusion, pronouncedly ascidiate carpels, presence of extragynoecial compita, (intrusive) oil cells on the surface of carpels (also in Piperales and Aristolochiales and some Monimiaceae s.l.), only thin outer integuments (Amborella, Chloranthaceae, paleoherbs).