Data From: Inflorescence and flower development in Orchidantha chinensis T. L. Wu (Lowiaceae; Zingiberales): similarities to inflorescence structure in the Strelitziaceae

The monotypic Lowiaceae remains the least known family in the plant order Zingiberales, yet it holds an important key to unraveling the phylogenetic placement of the families Musaceae, Heliconiaceae, Strelitziaceae, and Lowiaceae. After nine phylogenetic studies the (Lowiaceae, Strelitziaceae) clade is the only stable clade that has emerged in this half of the order. This study was undertaken to verify the unusual inflorescence and flower structure in Orchidantha, and to search for new characters that might be used in future phylogenetic analyses. We describe both inflorescence and flower development in a previously unstudied species, confirm inflorescence morphology in the genus, and compare the structure of the inflorescence in the Lowiaceae with that of the Strelitziaceae, its potential sister group. 

The inflorescence of Orchidantha is born at the end of a vegetative shoot and is composed of two lateral branches that each bear four bracts and a single flower, before aborting. The...