Aspects of inflorescence and floral development in the putative basal angiosperm Amborella trichopoda (Amborellaceae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usher Posluszny ◽  
P Barry Tomlinson
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Close Packing ◽  
Basal Angiosperm ◽  
Size Difference ◽  
Tunica Layer ◽  
Flat Base ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Rapid Transition ◽  
Basal Meristem ◽  
Female Flowers

Amborella has woody axes whose development is intrinsically plagiotropic and determinate. The tree habit is achieved through overtopping of older axes by basally produced younger axes, as in Mangenot's model. Inflorescence units, which are produced in the axils of distal leaves, may be described as extended cymes, each branch ending in a flower. Basal bracteoles have a decussate arrangement, which is modified to an alternate phyllotaxis distally. Flowers produce one or more additional bracteoles with a rapid transition to the spiral phyllotaxis of the broad overlapping tepals. In this transition the initially conical floral apex becomes invaginated to form a floral cup, with subsequent appendages appearing on its inner margin. The floral apex then forms the flat base of the cup but retains a discrete single tunica layer. The receptacular bowl is deepened and narrowed by the basal meristem of each appendage, the last formed floral organs usually consuming the floral meristem. Sexual parts are more numerous in male than female flowers, accounting for their size difference, but primordia of stamens and carpels are initially very similar. Floral symmetry is largely a consequence of close packing of appendages within the floral cup. In its initial stages of development the flower does not conform to any conventional floral model in angiosperms and is better regarded as highly specialized rather than ancestral in its synorganization. This is not unexpected in a lineage of such long independent evolution.Key words: Amborella, basal angiosperm, development, inflorescence, primitive flower.

Floral development of Butomus umbellatus

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Singh ◽  
R. Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Stamen Primordia ◽  
Procambial Strand ◽  
Tunica Layer ◽  
Rapid Sequence ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Outer Tepal ◽  
Primary Pattern

The primordia of the floral appendages appear in acropetal succession and develop in the order in which they appear. The primordia of each whorl of appendages are formed in a rapid sequence. After the inception of outer tepal primordia, the floral apex becomes triangular. On each angle, one inner tepal primordium together with the primordia of a pair of outer stamens and an inner stamen is formed. The triangularity of the floral apex might be interpreted as an indication of the formation of petal–stamen (CA) primordia as reported for Alisma and Hydrocleis. If this is the case, the primary pattern of organogenesis of the Butomus flower is trimerous and tetracyclic, i.e. one whorl of outer tepals, one complex of inner tepals and stamens, and two whorls of pistils. The floral apices have a two-layered tunica surrounding a central corpus. The initiating divisions in the formation of all floral appendages occur in the second tunica layer. In the case of stamen primordia, the outer corpus is also involved. Procambial development is acropetal. One procambial strand differentiates into each floral appendage shortly after its inception. Additional procambial strands are formed in the pedicel and the perianth and gynoecium. The relationships of Butomus to the Magnoliidae are discussed.

Effects of gibberellic acid on DNA synthesis and histology in the shoot apex of Helianthus annum during the transition to flowering

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (22) ◽  
pp. 2650-2659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haviva D. Langenauer ◽  
Dan Atsmon ◽  
Tova Arzee
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Central Zone ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Synthetic Activity ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Tunica Layer ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
And Control ◽  
Transition To Flowering

Transition to flowering is described in gibberellic acid (GA) - treated and control plants of Helianthus annuus. Hormonal treatment accelerates reproductive development without reducing the number of leaves developed before flowering. Studies of [3H]thymidine incorporation in the apex show that a non-synthesizing summital group of cells, the central zone, is present in the vegetative as well as the transitional apex. During transition to the floral apex the size of the central zone is gradually diminished, as its peripheral and basal cells undergo synthetic activity and the apex develops a domed shape. In GA-treated shoots the order is changed so that development of a dome precedes activity in the central zone. Cells of the second tunica layer of the central zone are the last to incorporate thymidine. They are conspicuously enlarged and distinct before development of the inflorescence. It is suggested that this layer has a specialized role in flowering.

Floral development of two species of Stylidium (Stylidiaceae) and some remarks on the systematic position of the family Stylidiaceae

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Erbar
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Floral Development ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Inferior Ovary ◽  
Stamen Primordia ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
The Family ◽  
Transversal Plane

The early floral development of Stylidium adnatum and Stylidium graminifolium is characterized by an initial circular primordium whose areas in the transversal plane of the floral primordium show enhanced growth. The spiral inception of the five sepals starts before the differentiation of the initial circular primordium into two stamen primordia in transversal position (in relation to the floral diagram) and the corolla ring primordium below the stamen primordia. Then five petal primordia, which alternate with the sepals, arise on the corolla ring primordium (early sympetaly). Peculiar to the flowers of Stylidiaceae is the column that bears at its top both stigma and anthers. Probably this column should be interpreted as a receptacular tube. No distinct carpel primordia have been observed. The inferior ovary results from intercalary growth in the peripheral parts of the receptacle below the calyx, corolla, and stamen primordia. The residual floral apex gives rise to a transversal septum, by which the ovary becomes bilocular. None of the morphological, palynological, and embryological characters discussed contradicts a position of the Stylidiaceae near the Campanulales, and several of these characters support this position. Key words: Stylidiaceae, Campanulales, floral development, systematic position, floral biology.

Floral development of Aponogeton natans and A. undulatus

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 1106-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Singh ◽  
R. Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Floral Development ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Stages Of Development ◽  
The Third ◽  
Procambial Strand ◽  
Tunica Layer

The primordia of the floral appendages are initiated in an acropetal succession. Members of the same whorl appear nearly simultaneously. The gynoecial whorl and the two staminal whorls are trimerous, whereas the perianth consists only of two anteriolateral tepals. However, the posterior (adaxial) tepal may be present as an extremely reduced buttress whose growth becomes arrested immediately after its inception. If this somewhat questionable tepal rudiment is included we have a perfectly trimerous and tetracyclic flower with alternation of successive whorls. Subtending bracts of the flowers are completely missing in all developmental stages. While the tepal primordia are dorsiventral from their inception, the stamen and pistil (carpel) primordia originate as hemispherical mounds which become dorsiventral in subsequent stages of development. Each pistil (carpel) primordium becomes horseshoe shaped. As the margins grow up and contact they fuse postgenitally. No cross zone is formed. Placentation is submarginal. In A. natans eight ovules are formed and in A. undulatus only two arise; all ovules are bitegmic. The floral apices have a two-layered tunica up to the stage of pistil formation. The inception of all floral appendages (including the ovules) occurs by periclinal cell division in the second tunica layer. The third layer (corpus) may contribute to the formation of the stamens and pistils. Each appendage primordium receives only one procambial strand which begins to differentiate after the inception of the primordium. The questionable rudimentary tepal buttress lacks a procambial strand. Apparently it does not reach the developmental stage at which procambial induction occurs. From the point of view of floral development, the two species of Aponogeton differ drastically from members of the Alismatales studied so far. Among the Helobiae, the Aponogetonaceae appear to be most closely related to the Scheuchzeriaceae and the Juncaginaceae (Triglochinaceae).

Floral development of Myrica gale and the controversy over floral concepts

1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 1965-1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair D. Macdonald ◽  
Rolf Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Vascular Tissue ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Median Plane ◽  
Layer Growth ◽  
Myrica Gale ◽  
The Third ◽  
Cell Divisions ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Upward Growth

Two bracteoles form by divisions in the second layer of cells on the transversal flanks of the floral apex. Four stamens form in the male by cell divisions in the third layer of cells; one develops opposite each bracteole and two form in the median plane on either side of the floral apex. In the female bud a girdling gynoecial primordium forms by periclinal divisions in the second layer. Growth becomes localized in two or three zones in the gynoecial primordium; upward growth results in the formation of two or three stigmas. The gynoecial wall forms by intercalary growth above and below the region of bracteole attachment. The ovule develops by the resumption of growth of the floral apex. A single vascularized integument, formed at first by periclinal divisions in the protoderm, encloses the nucellus. The development and pattern of the vascular tissue is described. Four conceptual frameworks regarding the morphological nature of the flower are outlined and the data derived from this study are analyzed in relation to each framework. The interpretations are conflicting and it is considered that this is due, in part, to an a priori establishment of mutually exclusive categories.

Floral development in Melaleuca and Callistemon (Myrtaceae)

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 689 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Orlovich ◽  
A. N. Drinnan ◽  
P. Y. Ladiges
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Total Absence ◽  
Stamen Primordia ◽  
Intermediate Morphology ◽  
Floral Apex

Floral development of seven species of Melaleuca and four species of Callistemon is compared. The multistaminate fascicles of Melaleuca develop from stamen primordia initiated on antepetalous pre-staminal bulges (PSBs); the resultant bundles of stamens become separated by hypanthial expansion as the flower bud enlarges. In most species of Callistemon examined the stamen primordia are initiated directly on the floral apex, and the stamens are distributed evenly around the hypanthium at anthesis. The possession of large and prominent PSBs, and thus stamen fascicles, is a feature of most species of Melaleuca and their total absence is a feature of most species of Callistemon; however, there is a continuum between these two extremes. Several taxa of both genera exhibit intermediate morphology. In C. glaucus (Bonpl.) Sweet, small but distinct PSBs develop, which influence antepetalous stamen groups that remain contiguous at anthesis. This also occurred in M. leucadendra (L.) L. This variable expression of PSBs is the result of differences in the timing of stamen initiation. Other variable features are determined by the space available for primordium initiation and the patterns of growth and expansion of the developing flower.

scholarly journals Aspects of pollination and floral development in Ficus capensis Thunb. (Moraceae)

Bothalia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 883-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Baijnath ◽  
S. Ramcharun
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Floral Development ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
Female Flowers

A unique obligatory symbiosis exists between Ficus capensis Thunb., and its pollinator, Ceratosolen capensis Grandi. Flowers from both aerial and geocarpic syconia may be pollinated and produce seeds. Females of C. capensis possess specialized mesothoracic pockets in which pollen is transferred from ripening syconia to receptive ones. A second primary sycophile, Sycophaga cyclostigma Waterston, appears to be ineffective in pollination.Several secondary sycophiles oviposit through the syconial wall. Strong sexual dimorphism exists in most sycophilous wasps. All female flowers have the potential to produce either seeds or galls and variation is merely one of gross morphology. Flowering is distinctly asynchronous. Seeds are dispersed by various fruit predators and germinate very easily under warm humid conditions.

Ontogeny of floral organs and morphology of floral apex in Phellodendron amurense (Rutaceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyuan Zhou ◽  
Yinzheng Wang ◽  
Xiaobai Jin
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Phellodendron Amurense ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Floral Organs ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Female Flowers

The ontogeny of floral organs and the morphology of floral apex in the dioecious Phellodendron amurense Rupr. were investigated by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Investigations indicated that P. amurense is hermaphroditic in its organisation and a common set of floral organs (sepals, petals, stamens and carpels) arise in all flowers during the early stages of development. Later, selective abortion of gynoecium and androecium occurs resulting in dimorphic unisexual flowers. The carpels in male flower buds become different from those in female flower buds soon after their initiation. The stamens of female flowers are not differentiated into anthers and filaments before abortion. The poorly differentiated carpel of male flowers never develops normal structures. Floral morphological evidence supports that Zanthoxylum, Tetradium and Phellodendron are related to one another in a linear sequence. LSCM revealed some interesting features on the apical meristem surface such as zonal differentiation, a triangular or sectorial cell, radiating cell files and linear rows of anticlinal cell walls fluorescing relatively brightly. The concept of carpel-enhancing meristem in the floral apex is tentatively proposed to account for the different fates of carpel development in male and female flowers in P. amurense.

Biology of Australian seagrasses: Floral development and morphology in Amphibolis (Cymodoceaceae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA McConchie ◽  
SC Ducker ◽  
RB Knox
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Floral Meristem ◽  
Ovary Wall ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mature Flower ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Lateral Branches ◽  
Floral Vasculature ◽  
Female Flowers

Floral development of male and female flowers in Amphibolis antarctica and A. griffithii was followed from the initiation of the floral meristem to the mature flower. In A. antarctica the flowers form on lateral branches, while in A. griffithii they may also develop terminally on an upright branch from the rhizome. A. griffithii and. to a lesser extent, A. antarctica, show sympodial branching from the floral axis. The female flower develops from a pair of primordia; in A. griffithii these primordia each develop three stigmas, which in A. antarctica subsequently may form secondary branches. The. ovary wall bears the initials of the future grappling apparatus, comprising four comb initials in A. grijjjthii and a further inner set of horns in A. antarctica. The female flowers of Amphibolis are unique amongst the members of the Cymodoceaceae in being subtended by a bract or perianth, similar to the male flowers. Differences between the floral vasculature and intravaginal squamulae are presented for both species.

Floral development of Ruppia maritima var. maritima

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 1607-1612 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Posluszny ◽  
R. Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Early Ontogeny ◽  
Main Axis ◽  
Ruppia Maritima ◽  
Procambial Strand ◽  
Inflorescence Axis ◽  
Floral Apex ◽  
Median Position ◽  
Floral Bud

A hyaline, unvascularized sheath envelops a portion of the inflorescence near maturity. Though resembling an appendage of the main axis, in early ontogeny it develops as a prophyll of the renewal growth apex below the inflorescence. Two flowers develop on the inflorescence axis, subopposite each other. Fertile appendages are initiated in an acropetal sequence on each floral bud. The first to form, in the median position, are the two stamens, the lower preceding the upper. Each stamen develops two bisporangiate thecae separated by a broad connective. A dorsiventral outgrowth is initiated slightly abaxially near the tip of the connective at the stage of theca differentiation. This outgrowth appears to be homologous with a similar outgrowth in Potamogeton densus, but not with the sterile appendages of the Potamogeton flower which, by some authors, have incorrectly been interpreted as connective outgrowths. Each carpel arises as a radial primordium which becomes peltate after its inception. One ovule is initiated at the adaxial portion (Querzone). The stigma becomes broad and flat, lobing at its margins. A slight outgrowth develops at the abaxial wall of the carpel. The floral apex has a two-layered tunica. The primordia of the stamens, carpels, and ovules arise by periclinal divisions in the second layer. Procambial development is acropetal following closely primordial inception. Each appendage, including the ovule, receives one procambial strand. The outgrowths of the connective and the carpel lack procambium.

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