Embryogeny of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai (Chloranthaceae) and Phylogenetic Position of the Chloranthaceae

Abstract

The development of embryo of Sarcandra glabra was described. The formation of embryo had the T-shaped proembryo at the beginning and the initial cells of the root-cortex were derived from the lowr tier of the cell m, so the embryonic development was conformed to the Polygonad type. It seems that the Chloranthaceae has closer affinity to the Polygonales and the Caryophyllales than the Magnoliales.