On the Comparative Morphology and Systematic Position of Cathaya (Pinaceae)

Hu Yu-Shi, Wang Fu-Hsiung, Chang Yung-Ching

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1976-05-18 Published:1976-05-18
Contact: Hu Yu-Shi

Abstract:

The question on the establishment of the new genus Cathaya and its systematic posi-

tion in Pinaceae has been much debated recently. From the view-point of the dia-

lectical materialism we are going to analyse and discuss the problem concerned based

upon the studies in external morphology, wood and bark anatomy, leaf epidermal

features, pollen morphology and embryogeny of Cathaya in comparison with those of

the other genera of Pinaceae.

From the present study we consider that the establishment of the new genus

Cathaya is unquestionable. The embryogeny and the pollen morphology of Cathaya

resemble those of Pinus, the external morphology of the female cones and some

features of wood anatomy of Cathaya are close to those of Picea and the wood

structure of Cathaya is similar to that of Pseudotsuga. Therefore, the systematic

position of Cathaya may be located somewhere between Pinus and Picea or Pseu-

dotsuga.

Hu Yu-Shi, Wang Fu-Hsiung, Chang Yung-Ching. On the Comparative Morphology and Systematic Position of Cathaya (Pinaceae)[J]. .

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