Abstract: This paper gives a comprehensive report of the research results about Acanthochlamys P. C. Kao. It reveals that Acanthochlamys P. C. Kao possesses in anatomy, embryology, cytology and palynology many special characters, which are original, evolutionary or transitional. The vegetative and reproductive organs of Acanthochlamys P. C. Kao have some features related with Ranunculales of Dicotyledoneae. These characters show that Acanthochlamys P. C. Kao is differ-ent from other monocotyledons families and very particular in Chinese Spermatophytic Flora. Therefore, the author separated it from Amaryllidaceae and proposed a new family——Acanthochlamydaceae P. C. Kao in 1989. Systematically.

Key words: Acanthochlamydaceae, Anthericaceae, Alliaceae, Affinities, Phylogeny