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Telopea Vol. 6(4): 1996 
apomorphic conditions) for phylogenetic analysis. Studies by Mayr ^69) and 
Bunniger (1972) of floral development in the order Myrtales provide a foundation 
on which to base new detailed studies, although neither worker was able to use 
scanning electron microscopy and results were presented as line drawings of sections. 
Our recent work on floral development of Angophora and Eucalyptus (Drinnan and 
Ladiges 1988,1989fl,h,c, 1991(7,1?) has allowed new interpretations of floral characters 
in these myrtaceous taxa and highlights that seemingly similar conditions in mature 
flowers can result from different developmental processes and are not therefore 
homologous (for example, stamen bundling in eudesmioid eucalypts is not equivalent 
to that seen in Eucalyptus microcorys, Drinnan and Ladiges 1991h). 
The present paper is the first in our series of floral development in Myrtaceae. It 
deals with the Metrosideros group of Briggs and Johnson (1979), which includes 
suballiances Kauia, Metrosideros, Xanthostemon and Lophostcmon pro parte (Johnson 
and Briggs 1984). Androecial development is described for eleven taxa (Table 1), 
which vary from having stamens in distinct, petal-opposed fascicles with strongly 
united filaments (Lophostemon and Tristaniopsis) to having a ring of free stamens 
(Metrosideros and Xanthostemon). 
Table 1. Collection information for the taxa examined 
Lophostemon confertus 
Lophostemon lactifluus 
Lophostemon suaveolens 
Lysicarpus angustifolius 
Metrosideros collina var. villosa 
Thaleropia queenslandica 
Tristania neriifolia 
Tristaniopsis laurina 
Welchiodendron longivalve 
Xanthostemon oppositifolius 
Xanthostemon verticillatus 
Victoria: On lawn S of Old Commerce Building, Melb. Univ. 
(cultivated), Drinnan AND 481, 25 Nov 1986; Orlovich DAO 
187, 1 Dec 1993, DAO 195 & Vadala, 20 Dec 1993 (MELU). 
Northern Territory: Mary R., Arnhem Highway, Wilson & 
Waterhouse UNSW4016, 11 July 1974 (NSW, UNSW). 
Queensland: 6.5 km SE, Kuranda, Waterhouse & Quinn UNSW 
1440, 22 Aug 1970 (UNSW); Fitzroy Island, off Cairns, Rozefelds 
DAO 233, 3 July 1994 (MELU). 
Queensland: Cherwell Range, Wilson PGW 569 & Rowe, 
7 Sep 1990 (NSW, BRI, ASU). 
New South Wales: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, near 
Conservatorium gate (cultivated, accession #17682), Orlovich 
DAO 44 & Wilson, 5 May 1993 (MELU). 
Victoria: The University of Melbourne in pot near School of 
Botany glasshouses (cultivated), Orlovich DAO 199 & Vadala, 
8 Mar 1994 (MELU). 
New South Wales: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney (cultivated), 
Orlovich DAO 169 & Wilson, 4 Nov 1993 (MELU). 
Victoria: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne (cultivated), Neish 
AND 561, 30 Nov 1992, AND 562, 4 Jan 1993 (MELU). 
Queensland: collected near Lockerbie (10° 47' S, 147° 27' E), 
altitude 20 m, Hyland 11042, 22 May 1981 (QRS); Cape York 
Peninsula, within 150 m of Pajinka Wilderness Lodge via 
Bamaga, Tree no. 1 from helipad track, Roberts DAO 237, 
4 April 1995 (MELU). 
New South Wales: Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Mount Annan 
garden (cultivated, accession # 865650), Orlovich DAO 221, 
12 May 1994 (MELU). 
New South Wales: Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Mount Annan 
garden (cultivated, accession # 923070), Orlovich DAO 36, 
4 May 1993 (MELU). 
