ADVANCEMENT INDEX OF THE EAST-AFRICAN SPECIES OF TRIUMFETTA (TILIACEAE)

Criteria for establishing primitive and advanced traits in angiosperms , as laid down by Hallier, Bessey, Cronquist and Takhtajan, are used t o examine evolutionary trends in the East African species of Triumfett a. The criteria used are shrubby or herbaceous habit, leaf types, pres ence of stipules, complexity of inflorescence, features of pollen grai ns and reduction in the number of stamens and carpels. Triumfetta is a moderately advanced genus, with T. longicornuta being the most primit ive and T. kirkii the most advanced. The order of advancement of the g enus in East Africa is established.