Such major problems for the angiosperm phylogenist as the inadequate fossil record, the prevalence of convergent evolution, the extreme reduction or other modification of some angiosperms, and the incomplete training of most phylogenists are discussed. A few selected examples of the application of some guiding principles to the search for relationships and origins in the Angiospermae are presented. The probable features of the immediate common ancestor of the most primitive living angiosperms are listed. Brief consideration is given to the phylogenetic relationships of the Aristolochiaceae, Papaveraceae, Cactaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Lemnaceae, Sparganiaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Chenopodiales, and Annonales.