Abstract
In this study, the micromorphology of nectaries in <i>Echium russicum</i> J. F. Gmel. flowers was determined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their anatomy by using light microscopy (LM). The rate of nectar production of flowers and sugar concentration in nectar were investigated. The nectary gland is located below the ovary of the pistil. It is composed of 4 parts corresponding to the parts of the ovary. The widest regions of the nectar-producing tissue are situated by the furrows separating the adjacent parts of the ovary. Nectar is secreted through anomocytic stomata, located only in the lower part of the nectary. The stomata were distributed evenly or they formed clusters of 2-3. The average number of stomata on the surface of the whole nectary was 184. At the nectar secretion stage, open and closed, as well as not fully mature stomata were observed. The orientation of most of the stomata was parallel to the nectary base. The cuticle surface of the cells of the upper and lateral part of the nectary was smooth, whereas in the region producing stomata it showed various folds facilitating the retention of nectar. The flowers produced nectar throughout the flowering period. The weight of nectar secreted throughout the lifetime of ten flowers was, on the average, 20 mg, with the concentration of sugars of 58% and their weight reaching 17 mg.
Highlights
SummaryThe micromorphology of nectaries in Echium russicum J
Micromorphology of nectary The nectary gland of E. russicum is located below the ovary
The nectaries of Echium russicum differ in size and shape from the nectaries of Myosotis sylvatica (We ryszko - Chmielewska, 2003) and Symphytum officinale (Stpiczyńska, 2003) belonging to the family Boraginaceae, which are described in literature
Summary
The micromorphology of nectaries in Echium russicum J. The nectary gland is located below the ovary of the pistil. It is composed of 4 parts corresponding to the parts of the ovary. Nectar is secreted through anomocytic stomata, located only in the lower part of the nectary. The average number of stomata on the surface of the whole nectary was 184. The cuticle surface of the cells of the upper and lateral part of the nectary was smooth, whereas in the region produ cing stomata it showed various folds facilitating the retention of nectar. The weight of nectar secreted throughout the lifetime of ten flowers was, on the average, 20 mg, with the concentration of sugars of 58% and their weight reaching 17 mg
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.