Aspects of the Floral Biology of Allocasuarina verticillata (Casuarinaceae)

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 857 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Moncur ◽  
D. J. Boland ◽  
J. L. Harbard

Aspects of the floral biology of Allocasuarina verticillata were recorded in a natural stand in Canberra, Australia. The trees are dioecious, and flowering took place during the autumn to spring months (May–October). The female inflorescence consists of over 100 individual flowers, which remained receptive for up to 12 weeks. The proportion of individual flowers pollinated increased gradually over this time. The advantage of a long female receptive phase is that each inflorescence can potentially receive pollen from a number of male sources. Duration from pollination to fertilisation was 53–83 days. Male inflorescences dehisced over a 3–9 week period depending upon air temperatures. Pollen germination was highest at 10˚C and 15˚C and poor at 5˚C, 20˚C and 25˚C. Pollen grains remained turgid at the lower temperatures for at least 3 days. Seed germinated well at temperatures between 10˚C and 25˚C but there was a marked decline at 30˚C. Stratification of seed is suggested as a standard practice in germination tests. Results are discussed in relation to developing tree improvement strategies for domestication of the family Casuarinaceae.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 372 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
ÖZLEM ÇETIN ◽  
MUSTAFA ÇELIK

In the present study, morphological, micromorphological, palynological and anatomical characteristics of the genera Opopanax and Crenosciadium are reviewed and compared. The genus Opopanax is distributed in southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and Western Asia, and it is represented by three species in Turkey. Crenosciadium is a poorly known monotypic genus from Turkey, recently treated as synonym in Opopanax. Expanded descriptions, phenology, geographic distributions, and images of habitus of Opopanax and Crenosciadium are given. The differences between the two genera are discussed. The pollen morphology of Opopanax and Crenosciadium is studied by SEM and LM. The palynological results confirmed the stenopalynous characteristic of the family Apiaceae, and revealed that the pollen grains of both genera are perprolate in shape. Also fruit surface ornamentation of both genera is typically striate, and epidermal cells are polygonal or elongated in one direction. Cross-sections of mature fruits are examined and a detailed anatomical description is presented. Mericarp shape and width are very useful characters for discrimination between Opopanax and Crenosciadium; mericarp ribs are also very significant characteristics to discriminate both genera. Our findings, together with previous molecular data, clearly indicate that Crenosciadium differs considerably from Opopanax, and therefore it should be accepted at genus rank.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebadi-Nahari Mostafa ◽  
Nikzat-Siahkolaee Sedigheh ◽  
Eftekharian Rosa

Pollen morphology of nine species representing four genera: Cephalaria Schrad, Dipsacus L., Pterocephalus Vaill. and Scabiosa L. of the family Dipsacaceae in Iran has been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that pollen grains were triporate and tricolpate. The pollen type of Scabiosa rotata Bieb. (tri- and tetraporate) is the first report in the world. The sizes of pollen grains fall into the classification group magna (pollen grain diameter 50–100 μm). Pollen shapes vary from preoblate to prolate and their polar views were triangulate and lobate. The exine ornamentation varies from gemmate in S. rotata to spinulate in the rest studied species. Species of Scabiosa have been dispersed in UPGMA tree that this confirmed the previous studies about taxonomic problems and species complexity in this genus. These results show the transfer of the some Scabisoa species to Lomelosia Raf. based on palynological characters. Pollen morphology of the family is helpful at the generic and specific level.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24(2): 129–136, 2017 (December)


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gotelli ◽  
B. Galati ◽  
D. Medan

Tapetum, orbicule, and pollen grain ontogeny inColletia paradoxaandDiscaria americanawere studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultrastructural changes observed during the different stages of development in the tapetal cells and related to orbicule and pollen grain formation are described. The proorbicules have the appearance of lipid globule, and their formation is related to the endoplasmic reticulum of rough type (ERr). This is the first report on the presence of orbicules in the family Rhamnaceae. Pollen grains are shed at the bicellular stage.


Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 530-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Poinar ◽  
Royce Steeves

The Myristicaceae is a member of the early diverging angiosperm order Magnoliales; however, the family is poorly represented by fossil collections. We describe Virola dominicana sp. nov. (Myristicaceae), the first record of fossilized Myristicaceae flowers, from mid-Tertiary (45–15 million years ago) Dominican amber. The description is based on 24 male flowers in 17 pieces of amber, thus providing some indication of intraspecific variation, including a two-tepaled flower. Diagnostic characters of the new species are the long-simple or few-branched trichomes on the perianth margins, the small pollen grains, and a short staminal column. These fossils also show co-occurring insects, some of which could be Virola pollinators. It is speculated that V. dominicana disappeared from Hispaniola during the Pliocene–Pleistocene cooling events leaving no native members of the Myristicaceae in this region today. Additionally, these fossils demonstrate that Myristicaceae was present in the Western Hemisphere during the mid-Tertiary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
L. Bayramov

Abstract. The zones of distribution of varieties and forms of quince on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been established, phenological observations have been carried out, their flowering and fruiting have been studied. On the territory of the Autonomous Republic, flowering of varieties and forms of quince begins in the second decade of April, depending on the distribution zone, with an average daily temperature of 12–13 °C and lasts 12–13 days, depending on weather conditions. Each flower has 10–12 stamens arranged in one row. The article also studied the viability of pollen in a number of quince varieties. Pollen viability was studied in the varieties Sary, Tursh, Ordubad, Gara and wild forms. Pollen fertility was determined by staining with acetocarmine. Pollen germinates in 2–5–10–15 and 20% glucose solution. Counting of germinated pollen grains was carried out under a microscope. The study showed that of all the experimental varieties, the pollen fertility of the Sary quince and Tursh quince varieties is high (up to 96.6–97.1%). The best medium for the germination of quince pollen is a 10–15% glucose solution. Pollen germination in this solution reaches 47.4–88.0%. In distilled water (control), the germination of quince pollen reached from 9.7% to 35.6% for varieties. Quince pollen remains viable for 31–43 days.


2017 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Citlali Núñez-Mariel ◽  
E. Mark Engleman ◽  
Judith Márquez-Guzmán

This is a contribution to the embryology of cacti and to the definition of their reproductory structures. The development of anthers, ovules and seeds of Pachycereus militaris is described. The type of development of the anther wall is monocotyledonous. This may have taxonomic importance above the family level. The endothecium is formed by a single stratum and the pollen grains are tricolpate, spinulate and punctitegilate. A lineal triad of megaspores was observed. The functional megaspore is the chalazal one. It is proposed that the term campylotropous should be uti lized for describing the ovule type, while the term circinotropous should be reserved for the funicle. In contrast to the stated by other authors, this study suggests that the seeds of Pachycereus militaris should be considered as non-albuminous and non-perispermous.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Sawidis ◽  
Gülriz Baycu ◽  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽  
Aneta Sulborska

Abstract In vitro culture of Lilium longiflorum pollen grains was carried out to determine the role of manganese in pollen germination and pollen tube growth. Pollen germination was adversely affected by the presence of manganese (>10 −8 M), whereas low concentrations (10 −12 –10 −10 M) stimulated the process. Manganese caused morphological anomalies during tube growth, characterized by irregular pollen tube thickening and swollen tips. The main effect was the anomalous cell wall formation at the tip, in which the presence of several organelles reduced the number of secretory vesicles. A loose network of fibrillar material and spherical aggregates, mostly in the tip region, was detected, and this material was progressively loosened into the surrounding medium. As a response to potential toxicity, the excess manganese was isolated in vacuoles, which formed an internal barrier against penetration of manganese to the tip area. Elevated manganese concentrations might affect plant reproduction, resulting in anomalies in gamete development. Consequently, the loss in genetic diversity and decreased fruit set ultimately lower yield.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana de Oliveira Machado ◽  
Ana Palmira Silva ◽  
Helder Consolaro ◽  
Mariluza A. Granja e Barros ◽  
Paulo Eugênio Oliveira

Distyly is a floral polymorphism more common among the Rubiaceae than in any other angiosperm group. Palicourea rigida is a typically distylous species of the Rubiaceae widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrados. This work aimed to study the floral biology and breeding system of P. rigida in order to verify if there wasasymmetry between floral morphs. The work was carried out at Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília-DF, from 1993 to 1995; and at Serra Caldas Novas State Park-Goias and in Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia-Minas Gerais in 2005 and 2006. Density, height and pin/thrum ratio were assessed for flowering individuals in all areas. Plants were investigated for differences in floral morphology, nectar production, reproductive success and site of self incompatibility reactions. Blooming period was long and concentrated during the rains. Flowers were clearly distylous and with reciprocal herkogamy. They produced nectar and lasted for a single day. In spite of differences in density and height, populations were mostly isoplethic. Nectar production varied in volume and concentration but the differences could not be associated with floral morphs. The species is self-incompatible but reproductive success was always high and independent of floral morphs. There were differences in the site of incompatibility barriers between floral morphs, which were similar to those observed for other Rubiaceae. The main floral visitors and pollinators were the hummingbirds Colibri serrirostris and Eupetomena macroura. High fruit-set indicates that the pollinators transported enough compatible pollen grains between floral morphs, despite their territorial behavior.


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