Flower development of Meliosma (Sabiaceae): evidence for multiple origins of pentamery in the eudicots

Flower developmental studies are a complement to molecular phylogenetics and a tool to understand the evolution of the angiosperm flower. Buds and mature flowers of Meliosma veitchiorum, M. cuneifolia, and M. dilleniifolia (Sabiaceae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy to clarify flower developmental patterns and morphology, to understand the origin of the perianth merism, and to discuss the two taxonomic positions proposed for Sabiaceae, among rosids or in the basal grade of eudicots. Flowers in Meliosma appear pentamerous with two of the five sepals and petals strongly reduced, three staminodes alternating with two fertile stamens opposite the small petals, and a two-carpellate gynoecium. The flower development in Meliosma is spiral without distinction between bracteoles and sepals. Because of this development, sepals, petals, and stamens are almost opposite and not alternating as expected in cyclical pentamerous flowers. In four-sepal flowers the direction of petal initiation is reversed. The symmetry of the flower appears to be transversally zygomorphic, although this is hidden by the almost equal size of the larger petals. Evidence points to a unique pentamerous origin of flowers in Meliosma, and not to a trimerous origin, as earlier suggested, and adds support to multiple origins of pentamery in the eudicots.