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Gynoecial anatomy in Sambucus callicarpa (Caprifoliaceae) with emphasis on meiotic divisions in a special tissue
Author(s) -
Stabbetorp Odd Egil
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
nordic journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1756-1051
pISSN - 0107-055X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-1051.1989.tb00988.x
Subject(s) - biology , ovule , caprifoliaceae , meiosis , megaspore , botany , sambucus nigra , synapomorphy , genetics , pollen , phylogenetics , clade , biochemistry , gene , lectin
A tissue in the basal part of the style of Sambucus callicarpa is characterized by meiotic nuclear divisions in its cells. The same phenomenon is known from other species of Sambucus , and it is probably a generic character. Similarities with the fertile female archesporium lead to the conclusion that the tissue represents a vestigial archesporium rather than a case of “somatic meiosis”. The vestigial archesporial cells are interpreted as the last remnants of ovules with parietal placentation. This placentation is in contrast to that of the fertile ovules, which is axial. Sterile ovules, in which megasporogenesis occurs, are present only in genera of Valerianaceae and Caprifoliaceae. This character probably represents a synapomorphy for the two families.