XVI International Botanical Congess

Phyllotaxis diversity in Magnolia generative shoots is exceptionaly rich. Although it is already known that the species of Magnolia differ in the degree of this diver- sity, the nature of this unique feature of the genus and its foundation have not yet been fully understood. Spec- trum of phyllotactic patterns present in a population of flowers produced in a blooming season appears to be cha- racteristic both for the species and for the individual. Monitored annually in selected individuals,it was always the same in many consecutive years. This fingerprint-like nature of the spectrum suggests that phyllotactic diversity is not merely an unpredictable outcome of the spontaneous changes in growth parameters of apical meristem, but that the genetic factor determining quite precisely the direction and the extent of these changes is most probably involved.