ИСТИНА

In recent phylogenies Velloziaceae is divided into three clades: the dubious Acanthochlamys (Tibet), African clade and South American clade. The monotypic genus Talbotia is basalmost in the African clade. So, the investigation of flower and fruit developmental anatomy in Talbotia is of importance for an understanding of morphogenesis. It is revealed that the epicarp originates from receptacle tissue and consists of epidermis and hypoderm cells with thickened walls, the mesocarp originates from carpel mesophyll and consists of 12-15 layers of thin-walled cells, and the endocarp originates from inner epidermis of carpel and is represented by one layer of longitudinally elongated sclereids with strongly thickened lignified walls. The lignification of endocarp cell walls starts in later developmental stages; it becomes the only lignified zone of fruit wall. There are 3 dorsal and 3 ventral double (peripheral and inner) vascular bundles and 6 lateral bundles in the fruit wall. The inner rings of dorsal and ventral bundles and the lateral bundles comprise the gynoecium vasculature, whereas peripheral rings of dorsal and ventral bundles make the tepal's vasculare. The structure of the coenocarpous indehiscent fruit of Talbotia allows it to be referred to the inferior pyrenarium of Ilex type with a lignified endocarp forming three pyrenes.