James W Byng

Amborellaceae James W Byng

Amborellaceae is endemic to New Caledonia and contains one genus. The sole species in this genus, Amborella trichopoda, was originally described in Monimiaceae and following molecular studies was found to be sister to all other extant angiosperms. Diagnostic macro-morphological characters for the family are: dioecious trees or shrubs with simple, alternate and exstipulate leaves, axillary inflorescences, undifferentiated and spirally arranged perianths, superior ovaries, free carpels, and red drupaceous fruits. The wood lacks oil cells, vessels and grouped axial parenchyma cells, and has variation in ray seriates. Pollen grains are oblate to spheroidal, monoaperturate, with finely papillate ornamentation in the non-apertural region and a operculum forming in the apertural region. The sole species in the family is illustrated and comes with a description including data on its habitat, distribution, known herbarium specimens at major herbaria, cultivation requirements and additional observations.