Caryophyllales Evolution and Systematics [Paperback]

The Caryophyllales are one of the few higher taxa of theflowering plants ofwhich the size and delimitation againstother taxa is undisputed. However, their derivation fromother taxa and the evolution of families within this orderin unsettled. Systematics and Evolution of the Caryophyllales reviewsthe important characters of this taxon emphasizing theircontribution and influence towards a new proposal for boththe putative origin of the order and the classification ofits families. New results in molecular genetics,phytochemistry, ultrastructure, and morphology are providedand discussed in relation to both the classical andmolecular systematics of the order. In addition, characterslike betalains and sieve-element plastids, which have playeda major role in shaping the size of the order, and otherslike DNA-data or flower morphologythat can be useful todiscuss the position of the Caryophyllales within higherplants are critically evaluated.Dedication to Arthur Cronquist.- 1 Nomenclatural and Taxonomic History.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Early History.- 1.3 Refinement of the Definition from Alexander Braun (1864) to the Present.- 1.4 Use of Characters Other Than Classical Morphology in Defining the Order.- 1.5 Inclusion or Exclusion of some Particular Families.- 1.6 Recent Developments.- 1.6.1 Families Now Generally Included in the Caryophyllales.- 1.6.2 Families Now Generally Excluded from the Caryophyllales, Although Sometimes Included by Past Authors.- 1.6.3 Summary of Our Present Knowledge of the Caryophyllales.- 1.6.4 Preferred Classification of Caryophyllales by Cronquist.- 1.6.5 Preferred Classification of Caryophyllales by Thorne.- 1.6.6 Relationships of the Caryophyllales.- References.- 2 Chromosome Numbers and Their Phyletic Interpretation.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Chromosome Numbers of Caryophyllales.- 2.3 Discussion and Conclusions.- References.- 3 Vascular Tissues.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Materials and Methods.- 3.lc&