Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica

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Floral anatomy of Epimedium and Vancouveria is examined. In both genera, perianth lobes can be classified into three groups, outer sepals, inner sepals and petals, based on morphological features. Inner sepals and petals show retardation of growth. The floral vasculature is nearly the same in the two genera. Floral elements of the outer whorls are often traversed by a single trace and those of the inner whorls usually receive traces of a double nature, and even of a triple nature in Epimedium. The venation of the perianth lobes tends to be dichotomous. The vasculature in the pistil is composed of two systems : a dorsal bundle and its branches, and ventral and ovular bundles. The two systems traverse the parts corresponding to the sterile and fertile flaps of the dehiscent fruit respectively. Comparisons of floral vasculature are made among Epimedium, Vancouveria, Berberis, Mahonia and Ranzania. As to the vasculature in the receptacle, similar tendencies are recognized, except that double circles of vascular bundles are observed in Ranzania. Anatomical evidence suggests that pistils of these genera are based on the same construction, although their fruits belong to different types. The author is indebted to Prof. K. IWATSUKI of Kyoto University for his valuable advice and to Dr. M. KATO for his instructive criticism. His thanks are also due to Prof. T. YAMAZAKI of University of Tokyo for giving him the materials and to Dr. D. E. BOUFFORD, Carnegie Museum, for correcting the English.

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1. The present study was designed to clear the distribution and ecology of the community of Hibiscus hamabo, a semi-mangrove plant. 2. The distribution of Hibiscus hamabo is restricted to the littoral of southwestern Japan. Its seeds are disseminated by sea-water, and can germinate and are established at the salt marsh. 3. The hibiscus hamabo community is developed more abundantly in western and eastern Kyushu, southwestern Shikoku and the western and eastern parts of Kii Peninsula where the coast line is very irregular, growing at stands in estuarys or at the end of inlets which are free of strong waves and surfs. The habitats are situated about the mean high water level and inundated with more or less diluted sea water. 4. The community is composed only by Hibiscus hamabo in the shrub layer whose height is 3 to 5 m. On the floor of the scrub, growth of herbs are poor although a few species such as Carex scabrifolia and Aster trifolium are sometimes found. This community has been recognized as an association, Hibiscetum hamabo.

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