Abstract

1. The Cornaceae are closely related to the Araliaceae as indicated by their pollen morphology and wood structure as well as floral characters. Helwingia may represent as a link between these two families. 2. As indicated by their pollen morphology and wood structure, Camptotheca and Nyssa of the Nyssaceae and Mastixia of the Cornaceae show close relationships and the latter may represent as a link between these two families. 3. Cornus resembles Viburnum and Sambucus of the Caprifoliaceae in both pollen morphology and floral structure. 4. The establishment of separate families, Garryaceae for Garrya, Alangiaceae for Alangium, Nyssaceae for Camptotheca, Nyssa, and Davidia, and Torricelliaceae for Torricellia seems reasonable. 5. Cornus includes species generally similar in their pollen morphology and wood structure. It seems not necessary for their generic segregation. However, the species C. oblonga and C. Monbeigii are distinct in both pollen morphology and wood structure from the most members of the complex. 6. Aucuba is rather different from Cornus in both pollen morphology and wood structure. It is desirable to establish a separate tribe Aucubeae instead of being includ ed in the Corneae.