XVI International Botanical Congess

Molecular genetic studies using model plants revealed that three classes of genes have roles in the development of four floral organs. The cloning of these genes unveiled that most of them belong to the MADS gene family. Ranunculaceae contains the plants having various floral structures and is considered as a good example for studying floral evolution. We have cloned 10 MADS genes from floral buds of Ranunculus sceleratus L. using RACE methods. By phylogenetic analysis, we identified each of one genes belonging AP1, AP3, and AG group, and two genes belonging PI group. We observed their expression pattern in a flower using in situ hybridization. Based on these observations, we will discuss on homology of each floral organ and evolution of its floral structure.