The vascular pattern in the flower of some Mesembryanthemaceae: Aptenia cordifolia and Dorotheanthus bellidiformis. The effect of an ontogenetical shifting on the vascular pattern and vascular conservatism

1. The vascular pattern in the flower at various stages of maturity of Aptenia cordifolia and Dorotheanthus bellidiformis is examined. 2. The vascular pattern of Dorotheanthus has been compared with that of Aptenia: typologically, Dorotheanthus is derived from Aptenia. 3. The vascular pattern of Aptenia has been compared with the observations of Ihlenfeldt: the differences are probably due to the use of different methods. 4. The vascular pattern in the ‘ovary wall’ of Aptenia has been compared with that in the outer floral whorls of Melandrium rubrum (Caryophyllaceae): : it is necessary to postpone the decision as to which type of inferior ovary is present in Aptenia and Dorotheanthus untill more evidence is available.