Nymphaeaceae: a basal angiosperm family (ANITA grade) with a fully developed embryo

Abstract

AbstractRudimentary, broad and small linear embryos occur among members of the most primitive (basal) extant angiosperms, collectively called the ANITA grade (i.e.Amborella,NymphaealesandAustrobaileyales).Amborella(rudimentary) andAustrobaileyales(rudimentary inAustrobaileyaceae,IlliciaceaeandSchisandraceaeand small linear inTrimeniaceae) have kinds of embryos that are known to be underdeveloped; consequently, they must grow inside the seed prior to radicle emergence (germination). On the other hand, it is not known if broad embryos need to grow before radicles can emerge, and whether they are underdeveloped or fully developed. Thus, we addressed the question: ‘Is the broad embryo ofNymphaealesalso underdeveloped?’. Although the embryo length : seed length ratios inNymphaeaAlbert Greenburg,N.capensisvar.zanzibariensisandN.immutabiliswere 0.311, 0.349 and 0.234, respectively, embryos did not grow prior to radicle emergence. Thus, they are fully developed at seed maturity. IfAmborellaandNymphaealesare equally the most basal angiosperms, as some molecular phylogenetic studies indicate, then we must conclude that the broad and rudimentary embryos are equally primitive.