XVI International Botanical Congess

We studied anatomy and ultrastructure of developing and mature fruits and seeds of Lactoris fernandesiana Phil. The number of cellular layers do not increase during the carpel development, external carpel epidermis differentiates into feebly marked exocarp, covered by rather thin cuticle. Mesocarp is divided into 2 zones: peripheral 3-layer parenchyma (incl. single oil cells) and sclerenchyma (2 lays of macrosclereids). Internal carpel epidermis transforms into endocarp (elongated cells with feebly thickened walls, containing tannins). Different orientation of endocarp cells, irregular sclerenchyma development provide sutural or subsutural fruit dehiscence. Seed coat consists of 3-layer testa and 3-4-layer tegmen. Carpological features (hemisyncarpous polyfollicles with polyvarious dehiscence, oil cells in pericarp, reduced spermoderma) show that Lactoridaceae occupies extremely isolated and advanced position within Magnoliidae.