The family Ochnaceae can be divided into two presumably monophyletic subfamilies. Traditionally, the Ochnaceae are included in the order Theales, subclass. Dilleniidae, characterized by a centrifugal development of the androecium. Some time ago it was demonstrated, however, that the development of the androecium of Ochna atropurpurea (subfam. Ochnoideae) follows a centripetal pattern. To clarify whether this pattern might be characteristic for the whole family, the early androecial ontogeny of five species from four genera of subfam. Sauvagesioideae was investigated with the help of a SEM. In all the species studied the development of the androecium follows a centrifugal pattern. Data are still insufficient to allow for conclusions about which type of ontogeny is primitive in the family.
Early androecial ontogeny; Ochnaceae; Sauvagesioideae
