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THE ONTOGENY OF THE INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER OF LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA L. (HAMAMELIDACEAE)
Author(s) -
Wisniewski Michael,
Bogle A. Linn
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1982.tb13414.x
Subject(s) - biology , primordium , liquidambar styraciflua , inflorescence , gynoecium , bract , perianth , apex (geometry) , raceme , botany , phyllotaxis , sepal , anthesis , ontogeny , stamen , meristem , pollen , biochemistry , shoot , gene , cultivar , genetics
A developmental study of the inflorescence of Liquidambar styraciflua L. was conducted to clarify morphological discrepancies reported in the literature. Salient features of development are: 1) the inflorescence apex results from the conversion of a terminal, vegetative apex; 2) partial inflorescence apices arise as ellipsoid structures in axils of leaves, bracts, or transitional phyllomes; 3) development of male heads is acropetal whereas female heads differentiate basipetally; 4) the partial inflorescence apex becomes segmented into several distinct subunits indicating an axillary branch system of the third order; 5) distinct individual floral primordia are initiated on the subunits; 6) a complete absence of perianth development; 7) inception of carpel primordia in flowers of lower male heads as well as female heads, but a failure of the gynoecium to develop beyond an incipient stage in male heads; and 8) development of sterile structures around the base of the styles of only female flowers near the time of anthesis. Carpellary characteristics of the sterile structures are described, their morphological nature is discussed, and the phylogenetic position of Liquidambar is evaluated.