Comparative case study of evolutionary insights and floral complexity in key early-diverging eudicot Ranunculales models.

Famously referred to as "Darwin's abominable mystery," the rapid diversification of angiosperms over the last ~140 million years presents a fascinating enigma. This diversification is underpinned by complex genetic pathways that evolve and rewire to produce diverse and sometimes novel floral forms. Morphological innovations in flowers are shaped not only by genetics but also by evolutionary constraints and ecological dynamics.

as a model for development and evolution of complex zygomorphic flowers.

The complex zygomorphic flowers of the early-diverging eudicot provide an opportunity to explore intriguing evolutionary, developmental, and genetic questions. The dorsal perianth organs, consisting of a spurred sepal and the nectar-bearing spurred petal(s) in , contribute to the dorso-ventralization and zygomorphic flower morphology. The seamless integration of the two or three dorsal petaloid spurred organs is considered a synorganization, and the resulting organ complex is referred to as a hyperorgan.