The Ontogeny and Floral Morphology of Myrsine Australis (Myrsinaceae)

Abstract

The family Myrsinaceae was formerly placed in the order Primulales, because it was thought to be closely allied to the Theophrastaceae in that order, but it has been found to differ from the other families in some important features. The differences between Myrsinaceae and Primulaceae are as follows: MYRSINACEAE (a) woody (b) resin ducts present (c) Drupe; one to few seeds PRIMULACEAE (a) herbaceous (b) no resin ducts (c) Capsule; many seeds The family differs from the Theophrastaceae in points (a) and (c) above and in addition, in its lack of strands of sclerenchyma beneath the leaf epidermis, and in its small and dark brown to black seeds.