STUDIES ON THE PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE NYMPHAEACEAE

In this paper,a cladistic analysis was applied to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among the Nymphaeaceae.Thirty one out of thirty five characters in gross morphology,anatomy and palynology were analyzed for their evolutionary polarities.Aconclussion obtained from the present analysis was that following three families should be recognized in the Nymphaeales(Nelumbonaceae,Cabombaceae and Nymphaeaceae).