Angiosperm Diversity

Question 1

What is Bessey’s dicta?

Answer 1

The classification of angiosperm based on ancestral or derived characteristics.

Question 2

What are some of the ancestral characteristics from Bessey’s dicta?

Answer 2

• bisexual flowers
• spiral arrangement
• superior ovary
• numerous, free carpels
• actinomorphic symmetry
• free petals
• woody
• more floral parts

Question 3

What are some of the derived characteristics from Bessey’s dicta?

Answer 3

• unisexual flowers
• arrangement in whorls
• inferior ovary
• few, fused carpels
• zygomorphic symmetry
• fused petals
• herbaceous
• fewer floral parts