Table 2.

Disparity ratios depicting asymmetry in the observed tip variance (MSE) observed between sister lineages that differ only in predominate growth form exhibited by tip taxa (herb versus woody). The expected ratio is the expected disparity ratio between the sister lineages based solely on the underlying tree topology and branch lengths. Observed tip variance was calculated as the MSE of the tip data measured from the phylogenetically correct mean (â) or the estimated trait value at the root node of the tree. Expected tip variance was calculated from eqn (1) in O'Meara et al. (2006). Capri, Caprifoliaceae + Heptacodium; rest D, rest of the Dipsacales; Pitt, Pittosporaceae; Myodo, Myodocarpaceae; Api, Apiaceae; Mora, Moraceae; Urtica, Urticaceae; Theo, Theophrastaceae; Prim, Primulaceae; Myrs, Myrsinaceae; Areca, Arecaceae; rest C, rest of the commelinids.

clade	herb : woody
	PC1	PC2	expected
Dipsacales
Capri versus rest D	1.72	1.530	0.633
Apiales
Pitt + Myodo versus Api	1.17	0.582	0.942
Moraceae + Urticaceae
Mora versus Urtica	1.28	1.690	0.930
Primulales
Theo versus Prim + Myrs	2.85	1.610	0.939
commelinids
Areca versus rest C	3.67	0.883	1.510