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A unique account of the structure, biology and evolution of tropical flowering plants.

Genetic and molecular studies have recently come to dominate botanical research at the expense of more traditional morphological approaches. This broad introduction to modern flower systematics demonstrates the great potential that floral morphology has to complement molecular data in phylogenetic and evolutionary investigations. Contributions from experts in floral morphology and evolution take the reader through examples of how flowers have diversified in a large variety of lineages of extant and fossil flowering plants. They explore angiosperm origins and the early evolution of flowers and analyse the significance of morphological characters for phylogenetic reconstructions on the tree of life. The importance of integrating morphology into modern botanical research is highlighted through case studies exploring specific plant groups where morphological investigations are having a major impact. Examples include the clarification of phylogenetic relationships and understanding the significance and evolution of specific floral characters, such as pollination mechanisms and stamen and carpel numbers.

The recent discovery of a large number of excellently preserved fossil flowers, studied with new techniques, and the comparative study of the flowers of extant basal clades of the angiosperms revolutionized the conception of early flower evolution. This volume brings together contributions of 17 palaeo- and neobotanists including critical reviews on the origin of flowers and the homologies of angiosperm floral organs, on the relationships of floral traits of magnoliids to those of lower eudicots (ranunculids, hamamelidids, dilleniids) and monocots, and articles on particular new Cretaceous fossils and new results on extant groups. These studies also influence the notion of early angiosperm evolution and of the macrosystematics of flowering plants.

Presents the basic concepts and terminology of plant anatomy with a special emphasis on its significance and applications to other disciplines. This book also highlights the important contribution made by studying anatomy to the solutions of a number of problems. It is illustrated with line drawings and photographs.

This volume covers the orders Apiales (Asterids I) and Gentianales (except Rubiaceae; Asterids II). It is the last of five volumes to (almost) complete the treatment of the Asterids in this series after publication of Vols. VI (Cornales, Ericales, 2004), VII (Lamiales, 2004), VIII (Asterales, 2007) and XIV (Aquifoliales, Boraginales, Bruniales, Dipsacales, Escalloniales, Garryales, Paracryphiales, Solanales, Icacinaceae, Metteniusaceae, Vahliaceae, 2016). The present volume provides descriptions for 11 families with altogether 1021 genera. Identification keys are provided for families within orders and for all genera within families, and likely phylogenetic relationships are discussed. The wealth of information contained in this volume makes it an indispensable source for all working in pure and applied plant sciences.