Our study of MADS-box genes in the development of the fleshy
sarcotesta of M. grandiflora seeds showed the existence of a
genetic toolkit basically similar to that found in botanical fruit
proper. Phylogenetic trees constructed to verify the relations of
Magnolia MADS-box genes with those of other important
systematic groups revealed that they are more closely related to
Amborella genes than those of Eudicot species. In addition, all
genes from the studied Nymphaeaceae show a tendency to form
a group of their own