Development of the hypanthium and androecium in Acmena smithii and Syzygium australe ( Acmena alliance, Myrtaceae)

Floral organogeny and development are described for two species of the Acmena alliance: Acmena smithii and Syzygium australe . The Acmena alliance is now regarded as distinct from the fleshy-fruited Myrtoideae s . s. A. smithii develops an hypanthium that resembles that seen in some dry-fruited Myrtaceae but stamen initiation resembles that seen in the fleshy-fruited Luma apiculata . By contrast S. australe has hypanthial development similar to the New Zealand fleshy-fruited Myrtaceae but stamen development resembles that of many dry-fruited Myrtaceae. Both species, therefore, show homoplasy of floral characters with both fleshy and dry-fruited Myrtaceae.