The shape and vasculature of stigma were examined from 18 species and 4 forms of Korean Corydalis. The morphological diversity and papilla number of stigma were distinctly different from each other among the four sections and the developmental states of stigma vasculature also revealed remarkable differences according to the examined taxa. Furthermore, the characteristics of stigma vasculature reflected the phenomenon of degeneration which has been generally observed in the reproductive organs of Corydalis such as ovule and seed-coat etc., by showing the tendency of simplification of vasculature in the taxa regarded as evolved ones. The developmental degree of stigma vasculature was thought to be closely related to the developmental process of stigma. Therefore, it is proved that the characteristics of stigma vasculature as well as the morphological diversity of stigma were very valuable for the taxonomy of Corydalis Also, the inference of evolutionary trends of stigmatic characters may contribute to establishment of the natural taxonomic system of genus Corydalis
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