False paracarpy in Seemannaralia (Araliaceae): from bilocular ovary to unilocular fruit

摘要

Background and AimsSeemannaralia appears to be fundamentally different from all other Araliaceae in the presence of a well-developed symplicate zone in its gynoecium, as well as in the ovule insertion in the symplicate zone (rather than in the cross-zone). The present investigation re-examined the floral structure of Seemannaralia with emphasis on the morphology and evolution of its gynoecium.