Microsporogenesis and Male Gametophyte Development of Euphorbar pulcherrima

Abstract

The microsporogenesis and male gametophyte development of Euphorbia pulcherrima were studied with paraffin section method. The results showed that the anther of Euphorbia pulcherrima had four chambers. The development of anther wall was dicotyledonous type; its wall consisted of epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and tapetum. The mature male gametophyte development experienced seven major stages as the followings: archesporial cells, aporgenous cells, microspore mother cells, tetrads of microspores (tetrahedral), uninucleate microspores, 2-uncleate pollens and 2-celled pollen stage. The anther wall varied with the pollen development: the epidermis of anther ruptures at the anther mature stage; the middle layer disappears at tetrad stage; the endothelium became fibrous layer at the anther mature stage; the tapetum (glandular) was the most development at the microspore mother cells stage and disappeared at anther mature stage. The abnormal anther development was observed simultaneously.