Mention the primitive characters of a magnolian flower
Answers
The magnolia family has the following primitive characteristics:
(1) Large flowers with numerous petals and sepals (called tepals because they are similar in size and shape
(2) Numerous spirally arranged stamens at the base of a conelike receptacle bearing numerous spirally arranged carpels.
(3) At maturity the carpels develop into a woody, conelike aggregate of seed-bearing follicles. Each seed has a fleshy red outer layer (aril) and hangs from its follicle by a threadlike stalk. Other primitive floral characteristics are radial symmetry or actinomorphic (floral parts similar in size & shape, perfect (with functional androecium and gynoecium), complete (with all 4 floral parts: calyx, corolla, androecium & gynoecium), and floral axis (receptacle) elongated. The latter characteristic is clearly visible in the magnolia blossom. With all the woody, spirally arranged carpels (follicles), this axis truly resembles a conelike structure.