Comparative Anatomy of Lachnanthes and Lophiola (Haemodoraceae)1)

The Haemodoraceae is a relatively small family of monocotyledons. The most recent treatment by GEERINCK (1969) circumscribed the family as composed of rhizomatous, often sto loniferou s, scapose to subscapose herbs with basal, equitant, "Iris-like" leaves which are basally sheathing and distally unifacial by longitudinal folding and fusion. The inflorescence is terminal and usually branched and is composed of bisexual, often externally tomentose flowers with 6 tepals, 3-6 stamens, and a superior to inferior ovary ; fruits are usually loculicidal capsules with endospermous seeds. The family (sensu GEERINCK 1968, 1969) contains 13 genera and 76 species, with distributions in South Africa, Australia, South America , Central America, Mexico, and eastern North America. However, a precise delimitation and satisfactory intrafamilial classification of the Haemodoraceae remain unavailable. Several authors have proposed different combinations of tribes and genera (see GEERINCK 1968 ; ROBERTSON 1976). Among recent family treatments, MELCHIOR (1964), in the "Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien", recognized three tribes: Haemodor eae, Conostylideae, and Conanthereae . H UTCHINSON (1934, 1959, '1973) grouped the Haemodorac eae with fiv e other families in the order Ha emodorales and divided the famil y into two tribes: Ha emodoreae with 11 genera and Conostylid eae with 6 genera; the Conanthereae being included with the family Tecophilaeac eae of the Lilial es. GEERINCK (1969) also recognized the Ha emodoreae and Conostylideae although diff ered from H UTCHINSON by removing Lanar ia from the family, tran sferring Lophiola to the Haemodor eae, and merging genera pr eviously recognized as distinct. Among contemporary system makers, CRONQUIST (1968) classified the Ha emodoraceae within the Liliales of th e Liliida e. TAKHTAJAN's (1969) treatmen t essentially agreed with that of CRONQUIST, and regarded t he Hypo xi daceae and Velloziaceae as closely related famili es. THORNE