Morphological and anatomical development in the Vitaceae. IV. Floral development in Parthenocissus inserta

Abstract

The floral ontogeny of Parthenocissus inserta, based on histological and three-dimensional observations, is presented. The inflorescence primordium arises in a leaf-opposed position at two of three nodes. It becomes subtended by a bract, and then bifurcates equally to form a lateral and a main arm. Inflorescence branches are initiated on both arms to form a series of dichasia. The transition from inflorescence branch primordium to floral primordium is marked by the initiation of three sepal primordia. Subsequently a ring primordium forms as the fourth and fifth sepal primordia are initiated, resulting in a calyx which encircles the floral apex. Petals and stamens arise simultaneously as five common petal–stamen primordia, alternating with the sepals. They bifurcate to form separate petal and stamen primordia. The petals are greenish, valvate, hooded, and are separate at maturity. The tetrasporangiate anthers are introrse and pollen is tricolporate. The gynoecium arises as a ring primordium. Two septa arise from the inner gynoecial wall and the floral apex, and will eventually form an essentially two-loculed superior ovary. Two ovules are initiated from the base of each septum. Each of the four ovules is anatropous and bitegmic at maturity. A disc arises from the base of the gynoecium. It appears as five pinkish protuberances of the ovary base at maturity and secretes a nectarlike substance. The fruit is a one- to four-seeded blue-black berry.