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In cladistics, a synapomorphy or synapomorphic character state is a trait that is shared ("symmorphy") by two or more taxa and inferred to have been present in their most recent common ancestor, whose own ancestor in turn is inferred to not possess the trait. A synapomorphy is thus an apomorphy (derived trait) visible in multiple taxa, where the trait in question is assumed to have originated in their last common ancestor. "True" synapomorphies uniquely characterise a given set of terminal groups, but it is not strictly necessary that all members of a clade possess the same trait (they may exhibit instead a further-modified version of the trait).

The rosid clade as defined by molecular data is broader than the traditional subclass Rosidae (Cronquist, 1981; Takhtajan, 1980, 1997) and encompasses many families formerly classified in the polyphyletic subclasses Magnoliidae, Dilleniidae, and Hamamelidae. The rosids comprise 140 families and close to one-third of all angiosperm species (D. Soltis et al., 2005). Clear synapomorphies for the rosids have not been identified, although most rosids share several morphological and anatomical features, such as nuclear endosperm development, reticulate pollen exine, generally simple perforations of vessel end-walls, alternate intervessel pitting, mucilaginous leaf epidermis, and two or more whorls of stamens, plus ellagic acid (Hufford, 1992; Nandi et al., 1998; reviewed in D. Soltis et al., 2005).

Succulent herbs to shrubs with Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Leaves succulent

4 to 5 petals, distinct to connate 4 to 5 sepals, distinct to connate 4 to 10 stamens (same # or 2 x petals) 4 to 5 (to 6) simple pistils, apocarpous

4 to 5 petals, distinct to connate 4 to 5 sepals, distinct to connate 4 to 10 stamens (same # or 2 x petals) 4 to 5 (rarely 6) simple pistils, apocarpous

Herbaceous to woody No hypanthium 4 sepals, 4 petals 6 (to many) stamens, often 4 long filaments, 2 short Syncarpous, 2 carpels, ovary superior

4 sepals, 4 petals 6 stamens, often 4 long filaments, 2 short Syncarpous, 2 carpels, ovary superior

Syncarpous, 2 carpels, ovary superior

Hypanthium 4 separate sepals, 4 petals 8 stamens Syncarpous, 4 carpels ovary inferior

Herbaceous or woody Betacyanins Small flowers in clusters, often surrounded by involucre of bracts Perianth (sepals/petals) with either 5 or 6 parts (6 in Eriogonum) Stamens in multiples of 3s Syncarpous, 3 fused carpels; oneseeded triangular fruit

Perianth with either 5 or 6 tepals (6 in Eriogonum) Stamens in multiples of 3s or 5 to 9 Syncarpous, 3 (rarely 2) fused carpels; one-seeded triangular fruit

Perianth with either 5 or 6 parts (6 in Eriogonum) Stamens often in multiples of 3s Syncarpous, 3 fused carpels; oneseeded triangular fruit

Flowers in clusters, surrounded by an involucre of bracts

Perianth with either 5 or 6 tepals (5 in Polygonum, Persicaria, Rumex). If 5 tepals, then 2 ith both margins on outside in bud, 2 with both margins inside, 1 half in half out) Stamens 5-9 Syncarpous, 3 fused carpels; oneseeded triangular fruit

Nodes often swollen Sheathing stipules (ocreae) surrounding stems (lacking in Eriogonum) Fruits triangular

Hypanthium 4-5 sepals, 0-4-5 petals Stamens opposite petals

Always woody Hypanthium 4-5 sepals, 0-4-5 petals Stamens opposite petals Syncarpous

Hypanthium 4-5 sepals, 0-4-5 petals Stamens opposite petals

Syncarpous, 2-3 carpels

Always woody Simple leaves Monoecious Male flowers in unisexual catkins, 4-6 sepals Female flowers solitary to clusters of 2-3, with inferior ovary, 3 fused carpels, surrounded by cupshaped involucre of bracts no perianth

Male flowers in unisexual catkins, 4-6 sepals

Female flowers solitary to clusters of 2-3, with inferior ovary, 3 fused carpels, surrounded by cupshaped involucre of bracts no perianth

Like rosids, asterids are a large clade, encompassing nearly onethird of all angiosperm species (80,000 species) classified in 114 families (Albach et al., 2001a; D. Soltis et al., 2005). However, unlike the rosids, a group of families corresponding closely to the asterid clade has been recognized on morphological grounds for over 200 years (de Jussieu, 1789; Reichenbach, 1828; Warming, 1879), and several morphological and chemical features appear to unite all or most asterids. Most notable are iridoid chemical compounds (e.g., Jensen, 1992), corollas with fused petals, unitegmic and tenuinucellate ovules, and cellular endosperm development; however, it is still unclear which of these features are actually synapomorphies for asterids (cf. Albach et al., 2001b; Judd et al., 2002). The asterid clade is broader than the Asteridae of recent classifications (e.g., Cronquist, 1981; Takhtajan, 1980, 1997) and includes also members of the polyphyletic subclasses Hamamelidae, Dilleniidae, and Rosidae (Olmstead et al., 1992, 1993, 2000; Chase et al., 1993; D. Soltis et al., 1997, 2000; P. Soltis et al., 1999; Savolainen et al., 2000a, b).

Perianth with either 5 or 6 parts (6 in Eriogonum) Stamens in multiples of 3s Syncarpous, 3 fused carpels; oneseeded triangular fruit

Flowers in clusters, surrounded by an involucre of bracts

Fruits triangular

Often woody; leaves usually alternate; connate sepals and connate petals (usually 5 in CA, 4 in South Africa), 2x stamens, anthers opening by terminal pores syncarpous)

Usually woody

5 connate sepals 5 connate petals

Usually twice the number of stamens as petals Stamens opening by terminal pores

Often herbaceous Scorpioid inflorescence 5 connate sepals, 5 connate petals, 5 epipetalous stamens Syncarpous, 2 fused carpels

Often herbaceous Scorpioid inflorescence

Often herbaceous 5 connate sepals 5 connate petals 5 epipetalous stamens

Often herbaceous Syncarpous, 2 fused carpels Either 2 styles (split style) Or 4 nutlets