Abstract
The genus <i>Tradescantia</i> comprises about 70 species. In Poland <i>Tradescantia x andersoniana</i> is basically grown as an ornamental plant that is recommended for borders and to be planted around garden ponds. The present study investigated flowering as well as the micromorphological and anatomical features of some floral elements of <i>Tradescantia x andersoniana</i> W. Ludw. Rohweder 'Karin'. The macro- and micromorphology of the flowers was examined using stereoscopic, light, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spiderwort produces flowers with a diameter of 4.6-5 cm, which open early in the morning and close at noon. Non-glandular and glandular hairs grow on the abaxial surface of the calyx and on the apical part of the ovary. The glandular hairs develop a several-celled stalk and a unicellular spherical or elongated head. The staminal filaments produce chain-shaped trichomes. Striate cuticular ornamentation is found on their surface and on the epidermis covering the perianth. The striae on the cells of the stamen hairs run to the two poles of the cell. The pistil develops a wet stigma with unfused unicellular papillae. The cuticle on their surface is smooth, whereas on the style near the stigma it forms dense folds.
Highlights
Spiderwort (Tradescantia) belongs to the family Commelinaceae (Hardy and Stevenson, 2000b)
The macro- and micromorphology of the flowers were examined at two growth stages using stereoscopic (SM), light (LM), fluorescence (FM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Tradescantia x andersoniana starts flowering in the third decade of May and finishes in September; it produces flowers with a diameter of 4.6-5 cm that are clustered in terminal umbels
Summary
Spiderwort (Tradescantia) belongs to the family Commelinaceae (Hardy and Stevenson , 2000b). This genus includes about 70 species (Faden , 1998) that are native to the southern states of the USA and Mexico (Dahlgren et al 1985). White spiderwort (T. albiflora Kurth.) is one of the most known decorative interior plants The flowers of Tradescantia x andersoniana W. The macro- and micromorphology of the flowers were examined at two growth stages (bud break and full bloom) using stereoscopic (SM), light (LM), fluorescence (FM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Initial observations of portions of fresh flowers were performed in a stereoscopic microscope equipped with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 camera. The structure of the hairs, perianth and generative elements was investigated in a Nikon Eclipse 400 light microscope
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