Floral development of Comptonia peregrina (Myricaceae)

Abstract

Early stages of development of the male and female flower are similar; two second-order bracts arise in the transversal plane on either side of the floral apex before the apex flattens and becomes somewhat concave because of growth activity at the flank of the apex. In the female flower, the gynoecium develops as an extension of the girdling gynoecial primordium and the two primordial stigmas each result from more rapid growth in the median plane at the distal portion of the gynoecial wall. The floral apex resumes growth to form the unitegmic ovule. Third-order lanceolate-shaped bracts develop from a meristem situated in the axil of each second-order bract. In the male flower, staminate primordia arise at three or four loci on the ridge surrounding the apex. The apex briefly resumes growth. Growth of the second-order bracts terminates at an early stage. The floral construction is compared to other myricaceous species. It is concluded that the axillary scale-like bracts of the female flower are third-order bracts; the gynoecium does not overtop the second-order axis and the female flower is not a reduced cyme; the male flower is more floral- than inflorescence-like compared to some other myricaceous species.