Seed cone morpho-anatomy

· The detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy demonstrates structural diversity. Both clades produce three distinct fleshy seed cone morphotypes (drupe-like, fleshy receptaculate and dacrydioid cones) using several structures.<b> </b>These functional structures demonstrate a shift between and sometimes within the genus makes the evolutionary history of seed cone complex in podocarps. The presence of a fleshy receptaculum is a characteristic feature of both clades. However, in species of <i>Retrophyllum</i>, <i>Afrocarpus</i> and some species of <i>Nageia</i> and <i>Podocarpus</i> form a fleshy sarcotesta-like seed coat and lack fleshy receptaculum.<b></b>