Abstract
The morphology of seedlings of the genera Adonis , Callianthemum , Ranunculus , Ceratocephalus , Myosurus and Trautvetteria is investigated and discussed. There exists a main seedling type, representing a dicotylous seedling with epigeal germination. The cotyledons are connected at their leaf bases, forming a short cotyledonary tube and protecting the plumule. Hypocotyl and primary root are well developed but soon become replaced by adventitious roots. In Ranunculus , sect. Ranuncella seedlings are characterized by a long cotyledonary tube. In some species hypogeal germination occurs. A possible adaptive value of this behaviour to mountain conditions is discussed. Similar seedlings occur in Callianthemum and Adonis sect. Consiligo . R. ficaria and R. glacialis have monocotylous seedlings. Occasionally monocotylous seedlings could be found amongst the normal dicotylous seedlings in several other Ranunculus species. The derivation of the monocotylous character state in R. ficaria and R. glacialis via neoteny due to the delayed development of the embryo under conditions of a short growing season is supposed.
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