Lecture 13 - Basal Angiosperms

Basal Angiosperms

Containing lots of species we use for cooking (star anise, avocado, cinnamon, bay, pepper, etc)

• The avocado fruit shape being common

Some synapomorphies include:

• Apopcarpous gynoecium

• Having protogynous dichogamy

• Often strongly scented and with essential oils

  • Often with thermogenesis to help project scents and attract pollinators

• Lacks nectar but provides high-protein pollen

Split into ANITA grade and Magnoliid clade

ANITA Grade

Now with several other families being added

O: Amborellales

Having dioecious plants (separate male & female plants)

• Flowers have no scent but are insect & wind pollinated

O: Nymphaeles & F: Nymphaceae

The waterlilies, often specialised for beetle pollination

O: Austrobaileyales

Containing the star anise

• Floral parts aren’t consistent in numbers (true for most basal angiosperms)

Magnoliids

O: Magnoliales

Containing the magnolia

• Having bisexual inflorescences with the female flowers at the base and male flowers on top (w/ tepals)

O: Laurales & F: Lauraceae

Containing:

• Taraire

  • Unsure of pollination syndrome

  • Dispersed by kererū & kōkako

• Tawa

  • Unsure of pollination syndrome

  • Dispersed by kererū

    • Northern sites had less seed production compared ot southern sites (climate change & favouring cooler weather)

O: Laurales & F: Monimiaceae

Containing:

• Pigeonwood

  • With a disc inflorescence with both separated male & female flowers

O: Laurales & Antherospermataceae

Containing:

• Pukatea

  • With buttress roots to keep them secured in swampy moist muddy soils

O: Piperales & F: Piperaceae

Containing:

• Kawakawa

  • Are dioecious with separate male & female plants

  • Flowers without tepals or petals

O: Canellales & F: Winteraceae

Containing:

• Horopito

  • Leaves are aromatic & peppery

O: Chloranthales & F: Chloranthaceae

Containing:

• Hutu

  • Leaves are bright green & toothed