CARPEL MORPHOLOGY AND PHYLOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF COPTIS CHINENSIS

Coplis chinensis is classified in the Ranunculaceae. In the species. some interesting features are found which are considered important phylogenetically. For example, the upper part of the carpel does not produce ovules and is open from the initiation of the carpel. It is suggested that the carpel becomes open secondarily concomitant with the reduction of ovules. This shows that the closure of the carpel is not perfectly established.