Phylogeny of the Microspermae-I

Abstract

The paper discusses the comparative floral morphology of the Burmanniaceae, the Apostasiaceae and the Orchidaceae on the basis of an earlier study of this author on Burmannia pusilla. The affinities and the evolutionary problem of the taxa concerned are discussed and it is thought that the Englerian arrangement of retaining the three families under a single order to be more in accordance with the facts. The need for further studies to adduce more evidence in connection with the phylogeny of the Microspermae as a whole is pointed out.