ISHS Acta Horticulturae 430: VII International Symposium on Flowerbulbs
INFLORESCENCE OF ALLIUM SPECIES (SUBGENUS MELANOCROMMYUM): STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT |
| Author: | R. Kamenetsky |
| Keywords: | geophytes, life cycle, florogenesis, differentiation |
| Abstract:
Florogenesis of Allium, subgenus Melanocrommyum, species of Central Asia and the Mediterranean area has been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The vegetative growing point enters florogenesis in September-October. The apical meristem is enlarged considerably and several peripheral swellings, which produce a row of flower primordia, are differentiated. Each flower cluster has a spiral order of flower differentiation and development and can be considered as a complex monochasium: cyme (bostryx). New flower primordia are still being formed within each cyme when the flower parts in the oldest flower primordia are already differentiated. The youngest flower primordium in the cyme is sometimes aborted. Stamens and the related perianth lobes form first among flower parts developing from common primordia. The gynoecium becomes visible after the formation of outer and inner whorls. Flower opening is related to inflorescence structure: the strict sequence from oldest to youngest flowers was observed within each cyme. The inflorescence of Melanocrommyum species could be described as an umbel-like flower cluster whose branches (cymes) arise from a common meristem. | |
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