Summary New chromosome counts on material of wild origin from the Magnoliales: Winteraceae, Himantandraceae, Annonaceae, Myristicaceae and from the Laurales: Austrobaileyaceae, Amborellaceae, Monimiaveae, Lauraceae, Hernandiaceae, and Chloranthaceae substantiate the assumption that primitive Angiosperms (woody Polycarpicae) are mostly ancient palaeo‐polyploids, ranging tot 24‐ploidy (table 1). Chromosomal data point to the parallel and reticulate evolutionary patterns of woody Polycarpicae (fig. 2) and give important hints for phylogenetic affinities and improved systematic arrangements on family and generic levels. Remarkable chromosomal similarities with Amentiferae strongly suggest a monophyletic origin of Angiosperms from progenitors with x = 7.