Abstract:

 This paper is an attempt to discuss the relationship and phylogeny within the genus

Lindera, based upon on analysis of shortened brachlets, on which the inflorescences are inserted,

and other morphological characters. The shortened branchlets are metamorphic shoots which

are often at the transitional stage between branchles and inflorescences. The advanced shortened

branchlets usually with an undeveloped terminal bud, posses scale-like leaves, and the inflore-

scences so formed are sessile and aggregate.  In primitive taxa, such as Lindera nacusua (Don)

Merr., L. gracilipes H. W. Li and L. tanchuanensis Feng et H. S. Kung, the branchlet is usually

not shortened, with well-developed terminal bud, forming a single axillary pseudo-umbel, while

its peducle is usually very slender and stamens of pistillate flower sometimes more or less deve-

loped.  The leaves on the upper part of branchlet are normal and the lower part of branchlet

becoming bracteal,  In the genus the development of shortened branchlets (Fig. 1.) from the

ones in the primitive taxa to the ones in the advanced taxa may be found.

       Other important morphological characters are the length of peducles.   The peduncle is

usually slender in the primitive taxa, short or even sessile in the adanced taxa.

       There are two types of venation in the genus: the pinnate and trinerved.  As the primitive

group trib. Perseeae Mez shows pinnate veins, pinnate ventation in Lindera is more primitive

than trinerved one.

       It might be possible that a transition occure in the genus from evergereen habit to deciduous

one as shown in Lindera glauca B1., L. angustifolia Cheng and L. praecox B1., whose leaves tar-

dily wither but persistent over winter.

       The relationships within Lindera are shown in a hypothetical genealogical tree (Fig. 4),

which includes the system of Litsea, developed parallelly with Lindera.

       From the study of morphological characters, the author infers that both Lindera and Litsea

have originated from a common ancestory related to the tribe Cinnamomeae Baill. which has a

single axillary inflorescence, with hermaphrodite flowers, 4-locular anthers and penninerved to

trinerved leaves.

Key words: Lindera, system