Trimeniaceae

Trimenia was first described by SEEMANN as a genus related to the Ternstroemiaceae. BENTHAM & HOOKER ƒ. (1880) regarded it as more closely related to the Monimiaceae without definitely placing it there. This was done by PERKINS & GILG (1901) who formed the tribe Trimenieae of that family. GIBBS (1917) created the family Trimeniaceae without stating grounds for the separation. GILG & SCHLECHTER (1923) disagreed, thinking the differences between Trimenia and other Monimiaceae too slight. However, a more complete study by MONEY, BAILEY & SWAMY (1950) firmly established the family which is now generally accepted. The work of ENDRESS & SAMPSON (1983) strengthened this conclusion and demonstrated the isolated position of the family by drawing attention to a number of features deviating from those generally found in the Laurales. These include absence of a floral cup; spiral floral phyllotaxis; caducous tepals; utriculate carpels; polyforate pollen; tectate-columellate exine; capitate stigma with multicellular papillae; vascularized outer integument. Chromosome number n = 8. References: BENTHAM & HOOKER ƒ., Gen. Pl. 3 (1880) 143; ENDRESS & SAMPSON, J. Arn. Arb. 64 (1983) 447-473; GIBBS, Fl. Phyt. Arfak Mts (1917) 136; GILG & SCHLECHTER, Bot. Jahrb. 58 (1923) 245; MONEY, BAILEY & SWAMY, J. Arn. Arb. 31 (1950) 372-404; PERKINS & GILG, Pfl. R. Heft 4 (1901) 21