Vascular system of the floret of Phleum pratense
Two bundles occur in the rachilla at the floret base. The anterior bundle supplies the vascular tissue for the lemma median trace, and the posterior supplies that for its two extreme laterals. The intermediate laterals of the lemma connect at the anterior bundle, and the two palea traces join near the posterior bundle to the traces for the extreme lemma laterals. Near these connections sieve elements of the two rachilla bundles link, forming the lower component of the sieve-element plexus. The xylem discontinuity begins above the anterior bundle. An upper, circular component of the sieve-element plexus surrounds the discontinuity. The sieve elements of the lodicules join the anterior of the upper plexus. The upper plexus becomes trilobed as it merges with the stamen traces. Three pistil bundles including sieve elements and tracheary elements of the xylem discontinuity join the upper plexus. These pistil bundles unite into a circular pistil plexus surrounding the discontinuity. The anterior sieve tube of the pistil joins the anterior of the pistil plexus. Sieve elements emerge from the posterolateral portions of the plexus toward the styles and leave a placental bundle of sieve elements and tracheary elements of the xylem discontinuity in the pistil posterior.