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STAMEN FILAMENT STRUCTURE IN THE ASTERACEAE: THE ANTHER COLLAR
Author(s) -
MEIRI L.,
DULBERGER R.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1986.tb00670.x
Subject(s) - collar , stamen , protein filament , botany , biology , epidermis (zoology) , asteraceae , anatomy , pollen , mechanical engineering , genetics , engineering
SUMMARY The anther collar, i.e. the distal part of the stamen filament, was studied in 56 species belonging to 11 tribes of Asteraceae. In all the species, the structure of the collar differed considerably from that of the remaining part of the filament. Cells of the abaxial collar epidermis are large and have lignified walls. The cells of the adaxial epidermis are smaller and their walls, similar to epidermal cell walls in the remaining part of the filament, arc devoid of lignin. Variation was noted in the shape and size of the collar and in the thickenings of the epidermal walls. Presence of lignin in the collar indicates that this part does not participate in contraction of the filaments in species with sensitive stamens. It is suggested that the differences in structure and shape between the abaxial and adaxial sides of the collar determine an outward orientation of the curvature in the more elastic lower portion of the filament. This curvature leads to the formation of openings through which an insect may insert its proboscis to probe for nectar.