Ledebouria socialis As a Key to Understanding the Evolution of Gynoecium in Asparagales.

Abstract

For Ledebouria socialis, a superior ovary with interlocular septal nectaries that are confined to both ascidiate and plicate zones of the carpel is typical. It is impossible to describe the gynoecium zonation consistently, since the existing terminology does not allow us to display all its peculiarities. A part of the nectaries located in the gynophore and ascidiate zone is internalized from the very beginning of development and postgenital fusion is not required for their formation. For the formation of the distal part of the nectary confined to the plicate zone of the carpel, postgenital fusion is required to isolate nectar cavities from the center of the gynoecium. The nectary is internalized along the gynoecium periphery through the outgrowth of receptacle tissues. The structure of nectaries, as in Ledebouria, can be found in many Asparagales with a superior ovary.