WATERLILY, POPPY, OR SYCAMORE - ON THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF NELUMBO

The systematic position of Nelumbo, originally described as Nymphaea, turnes out to be more confusing than ever. A new set of data derived f rom high resolution scanning electron microscopy and chemistry of epic uticular waxes is presented. It is compared to results obtained from i nvestigations of several families of Magnoliidae, Ranunculidae, and Ha mamelidae. The traditional opinion that Nelumbo is closely related to Nymphaeales or even Magnoliales is rejected. The occurrence of tubular wax crystals containing a significant amount of noncosan-10-ol suppor ts a position near to Ranunculiflorae, if not to ''lower'' hamamelids (Hamamelidaceae, Daphniphyllaceae, Cercidiphyllaceae). An unique new f eature of Nelumbo is the occurrence of aporphin alkaloids (nuciferin, nornuciferin) in cuticular waxes. These alkaloids, well known from the tissues of Nelumbo, are common in Ranunculiflorae, whereas Nymphaeale s are characterised by sesquiterpen alkaloids.