Morphological, Ontogenetic and Embryological Studies in the Flowers of Beilschmiedia Tawa (A. Cunn.) Benth. Et Hook.F. Ex Kirk. (Lauraceae)

Abstract

Beilschmiedia tawa (commonly called "Tawa") is one of New Zealand's most common lowland forest trees and as a member of the Lauraceae it belongs to a family which is regarded by most taxonomists and morphologists as one of the more advanced families in the woody Ranales (Eames, 1961). Engler (1964) and Rendle (1938) have included the Lauraceae in the Order Ranales while Hutchinson (1959) subdivided this group and formed three orders: Magnoliales, Annonales and Laurales. The Lauraceae is included by Hutchinson in the Laurales together with six other families. Numerous floral studies have been made in the more primitive woody ranalean families, and in the supposedly more advanced families including the Hernandiaceae, Myrsiticaceae, Monimiaceae, Gomortegaceae, Lauraceae and Berberidaceae research is needed to show the modifications and specializations which the members of these families have undergone. (Currently with my work in the Lauraceae, Mr. F.B. Sampson (Botany Dept., Victoria University of Wellington) was studying the flowers of two members of the Monimiaceae; Hedycarya and Laurelia).