Reproductive development in two species of Darwinia Rudge (Myrtaceae)

1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Prakash

In Darwinia the floral parts are differentiated in a "calyx-orolla-gynoeciumandroecium" sequence. In individual buds stages of microsporogenesis markedly precede corresponding stages of megasporogenesis. The anther is tetrasporangiate with all sporangia lying in one plane. The secretory tapetum is one- to three-layered within the same microsporangium and a large number of Ubisch bodies are formed. The anthers dehisce by minute lateral pores and an ingenious mechanism helps disperse the twocelled pollen grains. A basal placenta in the single loculus of the ovary bears four ovules in D. micropetala and two in D. fascicularis. In both species, however, only one ovule is functional after fertilization. The fully grown ovules are anatropous, crassinucellar, and bitegmic; the inner integument forms the micropyle. The parietal tissue is most massive at the completion of megasporogenesis but is progressively destroyed later. The embryo sac follows the Polygonum type of developnlent and when mature is five-nucleate, the three antipodals being ephemeral. Following fertilization, the primary endosperm nucleus divides before the zygote. Subsequent nuclear divisions in the endosperm mother cell are synchronous and lead to a free-nuclear endosperm which becomes secondarily cellular, starting from the micropylar end at the time the globular embryo assumes an elongated shape. Embryogeny is irregular and the mature embryo is straight with a massive radicle and a hypocotyl which terminates in two barely recognizable cotyledons. Sometimes the minute cotyledons are borne on a narrow neck-like extension of the hypocotyl. A suspensor is absent. Both integuments are represented in the seed coat and only the outer layer of the outer and the inner layer of the inner integuments, with their thick-walled tanniniferous cells, remain in the fully grown seed. The ovary wall is demarcated into an outer zone containing oil glands surrounded by cells containing a tannin-like substance and an inner zone of spongy parenchyma. In the fruit this spongy zone breaks down completely but the outer zone is retained. The two species of Darwinia, while closely resembling each other in their embryology, differ significantly from other Myrtaceae. However, no taxonomic conclusions are drawn at this stage, pending enquiry into the life history of other members of the tribe Chamaelaucieae.

1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Prakash

Accessory flowers arise from the surface of inferior ovaries in 25 % of the flowers of Tetragonia, suggesting an axial nature of the inferior ovary. The ovary is six to nine-loculed, with a single pendulous ovule in each locule. The anther is tetrasporangiate. The innermost layer of the four-layered wall constitutes a secretory tapetum with multinucleate cells. Cytokinesis in microspore mother cells is simultaneous and results in tetrahedral or decussate tetrads. The pollen grains are shed at the three-celled stage. The ovules are bitegminal, crassinucellar, and anacampylotropus. The funiculus is long and bears an obturator of glandular cells. The inner integument forms the micropyle and forms a collar at the distal end. A nucellar cap is present. The nucellus persists in the seed as perisperm. The archesporium is multicelled, although only a single cell develops. Following meiosis the megaspore mother cell gives rise to a linear row of three or four megaspores, of which only the chalaza1 functions to form an embryo sac of the Polygonum type. The endosperm is of the Nuclear type and eventually assumes a horseshoe shape. Cell formation is restricted to the micropylar region, the rest remaining nuclear until consumed by the embryo. The embryogeny is of the Solanad type, and the mature embryo is curved and dicotyledonous.


1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 457 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Prakash

The flower buds of Angophora floribunda appear in the last week of November and anthesis occurs in the middle of January the following year. There is no prolonged resting phase at any stage during embryology and the seeds are shed during late February to early March. In floral development, the petals are the last structures to be formed. Early anther development precedes corresponding stages in the ovules of the same flower, but events in the ovules proceed more rapidly and meiosis occurs simultaneously in the spore mother cells of both organs. The mature two-celled pollen grains are shed when the ovules contain four-or eight-nucleate embryo sacs. Many flowers bear anthers containing only sterile pollen grains, which occur either singly or as tetrads. Various abnormalities in the development of the pollen are reported, and the anthers containing sterile pollen neither develop fibrous bands in the endothecium nor do they dehisce. The ovules are bitegminal, crassinucellar, and hemianatropous. Occasional bifurcation of the inner integument was observed and a hypostase differentiates at the four-nucleate stage of the embryo sac. The embryo sac follows the Polygonum type of development and is five-nucleate and four-celled when mature. The endosperm is Nuclear in origin, and in about half the seeds examined a granular unidentified substance accumulates in the embryo sac. The development of the embryo is irregular and the seedlings bear a collar-like structure at the junction of the hypocotyl and the radicle. The mature embryos are usually dicotyledonous but rarely tricotyledonous. The seed coat is formed exclusively by the outer integument; in the ripe seed it consists of an outer epidermis of large, palisade-like, thin-walled, tanniniferous cells and an inner crystalliferous layer.


1965 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 379 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Khanna

The stamens are whorled in Brasenia schreberei and spirally arranged in Nelumbo nucifera. The anther is tetrasporangiate. Parietal layers are five-celled in thickness in B. schreberei and six-celled in N. nucifera. Endothecial cells contain a tannin-like substance and develop fibrous thickenings in N. nucifera. The middle layers are persistent in N. nucifera and ephemeral in B. schreberei. The tapetal cells become multinucleate and the layer develops cutinization on its inner walls in N. nucifera. It is secretory. Micronuclei are formed at the meiosis in the microspore mother cells. These degenerate in B. schreberei and form micropollen grains in N. nucifera. Polysporads and compound pollen grains occur frequently in the latter. Pollen sterility is common. In B. schreberei the carpel is horseshoe-shaped, unites with its margins, and bears two to three pendulous ovules with lamina1 placentation. The carpel in N. nucifera, however, remains open in its early development, unites by the growth of the interlocking hairs, and contains a single ovule. A single parietal layer is present in B. schreberei, and four to five such layers in N. nucifera. A hypostase is formed in B. schreberei. The nucellus functions as perisperm in the latter and is consumed early in N. nucifera. A linear megaspore tetrad is formed in which the chalazal megaspore is functional. The embryo sac is of the Polygonum type. The antipodal cells are ephemeral in B. Schreberei and persistent with secondary multiplication in N. nucifera. In post-fertilized ovules one of the synergids is persistent. Fertilization is non-synchronous in N. nucifera and simultaneous in B. schreberei. In N. nucifera the antipodal cells become enlarged and multinucleate, and occupy the elongated tube formed by the downward penetration of the embryo sac. They degenerate at the early globular stage of the embryo and are not persistent when the embryo is pear-shaped. In B. schreberei a transverse cytokinesis follows division of the primary endosperm nucleus and two unequal cells are formed. The small chalazal endosperm cell penetrates the nucellus below and forms a long tube-like haustorium occupying three-quarters of the length of the nucellus. Its nucleus subsequently hypertrophies and degenerates completely at the globular stage of the embryo. Endosperm is ab initio cellular in B. schreberei and free nuclear in N. nucifera.


1962 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Davis

Cotula australis has a discoid heterogamous capitulum in which the outermost three whorls of florets are female and naked. The bisexual disk florets are fully fertile and have a four-lobed corolla with four shortly epipetalous stamens. The anthers contain only two microsporangia. Wall formation and microsporogenesis are described and the pollen grains are shed at the three-celled condition. The ovule is teguinucellate and the hypodermal archesporial cell develops directly as the megaspore mother cell. Megasporogenesis is normal and the monosporio embryo sac develops from the chalazal megaspore. Breakdown of the nucellar epidermis takes place when the embryo sac is binucleate and its subsequent development follows the Polygonum type. The synergids extend deeply into the micropyle and one persists until late in embryogeny as a haustorium. The development of the embryo is of the Asterad type, and the endosperm is cellular. C. coronopifolia agrees with C. australis in the presence of only two microsporangia in each anther and the development of a synergid haustorium.


Bothalia ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. A. Steyn ◽  
A. E. Van Wyk ◽  
G. F. Smith

Scolopia zeyheri (Nees) Harv. is a widespread African tree and a member of the largest genus of the tropical Old World tribe Scolopieae (Salicaceae sensu lato). This light microscopic study is the first report on ovule and seed structure in the genus and the tribe. Ovules vary from four to six per ovary, are anatropous. crassinucellate. bitegmic and occur in an epitropous (rarely pleurotropous). median-parietal position in the unilocular, usually bicarpellate ovary. A very extensive nucellus cap. comprising nucellus epidermal derivatives and parietal tissue, characterizes the young ovule during mega- sporogenesis and megagametogenesis, but the chalazal nucellus is poorly developed. During meiosis. the micropvlar dyad cell degenerates early. The functional dyad cell forms two megaspores of which the chalazal one usually develops into a Polygonum-type embryo sac. At maturity, the micropylar end of the embryo sac is covered by the remnants of the nucellus epidermis, the parietal tissue having degenerated. The globular embryo has a short suspensor and lies in nuclear endosperm becoming cellular. The seed coat develops from both integuments, is tannimferous. has a glabrous surface with stomata and a single layer of exotegmic, longitudinal fibres.Results are compared with relevant information previously reported for genera in the tribes Flacourtieae. Samvdeae. Saliceae, Scyphostegiae and for Oncoha Forssk. (Salicaceae sensu lato). Embryologically Scolopia shows a number of ple- siomorphic features compared to other Salicaceae. For example, it lacks an extranucellar embryo sac. an apomorphic fea­ture in many Salicaceae. A summary of ovule and seed characters in Salicaceae sensu lato is given and contrasted with data available for Achariaceae  sensu lato. Embryological data broadly supports the reclassification of genera, traditionally referred to Flacourtiaceae. amongst Salicaceae sensu lato and Achariaceae sensu lato.


1964 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
PS Woodland

A comparative study was carried out between diploid and tetraploid races of Themeda australis from Armidale and Cobar, respectively. Some morphological variations occur in both populations, but sporogenesis and gametogenesis are identical. The anther is tetrasporangiate and the development of its four-layered wall is described. The tapetum is of the secretory type and its cells become binucleate at the initiation of meiosis in the adjacent microspore mother cells which undergo successive cytokinesis. Microspore tetrads are usually isobilateral and the pollen grains are three-celled at dehiscence, which takes place by lateral longitudinal slits. The ovule is of a modified anatropous form and bitegmic, the broad micropyle being formed of both integuments. The single hypodermal archesporial cell develops directly into the megaspore mother cell and the nucellar epidermis undergoes periclinal and anticlinal divisions to form a conspicuous epistase. The chalaza1 megaspore of the linear tetrad gives rise to a Polygonum-type embryo sac. Material from the Armidale population showed one embryo sac per ovule, but two to five embryo sacs were present in that from Cobar. Embryogeny is typically graminaceous and endosperm formation is at first free-nuclear, later becoming cellular. Polyembryony follows fertilization of several embryo sacs within the same ovule. The reasons for low fertility of T. australis and poor germination of seeds are discussed.


1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Prakash ◽  
DB Foreman ◽  
SJ Griffith

The flowers of Galbulimima belgraveana (F. Muell.) Sprague are bisexual, calyptrate and protogynous. The numerous free stamens are laminar and arranged spirally on an elongated receptacle; only the middle stamens are fertile. There are four microsporangia embedded on the abaxial side of the microsporophyll. The tapetum is secretory and often double. A variety of spore tetrad types is produced. The mature pollen grains are single, monosulcate, scabrate, atectate, spheroidal and 2-celled. The carpels of a flower are initially free but later become concrescent so that a single fruit is formed. The ovules are anatropous, crassinucellar and bitegminal, and show an elongated embryo sac that conforms to the polygonum type of development. There is a massive parietal tissue in early stages of ovule development. In its embryological features, the species shows close relationships to the families Annonaceae and Degeneriaceae and, to a slightly lesser extent, the Magnoliaceae and Eupomatiaceae.


Author(s):  
S. V. Shevchenko ◽  
N. N. Miroshnichenko

The article presents the research results of the genesis of biology of Crocus angustifolius and Crocus speciosus . Some aspects of formation of the male and female gametophytes, pollination and seeds formation have been presented. The wall of microsporangium develops centripetally as monocotyledonous and formed consists of the epidermis, endothecium, 2-3 middle layers and secretory tapetum. A tetrad of microspores is formed simultaneously. Mature pollen grains are 2-cell. The ovary is three-celled, the ovary is anatropic, crassinucellous, bitegmal, funiculous. Polygonum-type embryo sac. Pedestal, podium and hypostasis are formed. Both species are entomophilous plants. The fruit is a multi-seeded three-nest box. Both species propagated by seeds and vegetatively using corms.


1963 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Want

In Wahlenbergia bicolor, the anther wall is composed of four layers: epidermis, endothecium, middle layer, and tapetum. Wall formation and microsporogenesis are described, and the pollen grains are shed at the two-celled condition. The ovules are tenuinucellate, with a hypodermal archesporial cell which develops directly as the megaspore mother cell. Megasporogenesis is normal, and a monosporic eight-nucleate embryo sac of the most common Polygonum type develops from the chalazal megaspore. The antipodals degenerate before fertilization. The development of the embryo is of the solanad type. A suspected case of polyembryony was observed. The endosperm is cellular from its inception, and so conforms to the Codonopsis type. A micropylar and a chalazal haustoriurn, both consisting of two uninucleate cells, are formed from the endosperm. Comparative studies were made with a known but as yet undescribed coastal species of Wahlenbergia, and no differences were found.


1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Davis

Flower buds are first recognizable in late December at the commencement of new growth, and the deciduous bracts enclosing each cyme are shed about 3 weeks later. The buds increase rapidly in size, but anthesis does not occur until the end of September and the seeds are not shed from the capsules until the following August. The development of the double operculum and the floral parts is traced. Archesporal tissue is differentiated in the anthers in late February but ovule primordia are not formed until the end of March, by which time the stamens have reached their full size and anther wall formation is well advanced. In each bud events in the anthers and ovules are broadly comparable, but variation in the stages of development occurs between buds on the same branch. Meiosis takes place during the winter months, and embryo sac development follows the Polygonum type. The components of the egg apparatus undergo a threefold increase in size after their formation and, whereas the egg contains little cytoplasm, the synergids become densely cytoplasmic and laterally hooked. The pollen grains are two-celled when they are shed through the slits at the apices of the anthers. A comparison is made of the embryology of E. melliodora and that of species cultivated in Italy and the Black Sea area of the Soviet Union.


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