Taxonomic Studies of the Lauraceae in Korea - Morphology of Inflorescence -

한국산 녹나무과 식물의 분류학적 연구 - 화서의 형태 -

This study is attemped to discuss the taxonomic significances as have been raised up to now in the study of Lauraceous inflorescence. Lauraceous inflorescences are recognized as panicle, umbel, dichasium, or fascicle by various investigators. Reconsidering the inflorescence or existence of involucre, which has been accepted as important character in the present classification system, it is assumed that the study about them has not so far carried out a deliberate analysis over inflorescent morphology, nor has recognized the existence of involucre. Furthermore, all the materials examined in this study have fugacious or persistent involucres which are leafy, scaly or membraneous. Therefore, it was found that the kinds, fugacity or persistency of involucres are significant in the problems of classification of Laureaceae. Korean Lauraceous inflorescence has evolved into the direction of continuous reduction in its peduncle: from compound dichasium to capitate umbel.