EXTINCT AND EXTANT PLATANACEAE AND HAMAMELIDACEAE: MORPHOLOGY, SYSTEMATICS, AND PHYLOGENY

Abstract

The geological history of the families Platanaceae and Hamamelidaceae is studied on the basis of original fossil material and available literature. The evolutionary stages of morphological and taxonomic diversity are revealed. The trends in vegetative and reproductive evolution are traced. On the basis of chronological relationships and finds of transitional forms (links), the phytogeny of the Platanaceae and Hamamelidaceae is reconstructed, and different evolutionary patterns in these families of early angiosperms are shown.