Organogenesis of the male inflorescence and flowers of Myrica esculenta

Abstract

Organogenesis of the male inflorescence and flowers of Myrica esculenta is described. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikes. The myricaceous flower consists of up to five stamens and two transversal bracts. The organography and organogenesis of the flowers of the distal region of the inflorescence are similar to the organography and organogenesis of the flowers of the secondary inflorescence axes in the intermediate region of the inflorescence. The presence of a transversal pair of bracts on the floral axis is variable. Only in monostaminate flowers does a stamen terminate an axis. This is a function of the monostaminate flower being positioned at the extreme distal region of the primary inflorescence or secondary inflorescence axis. Five-, four-, three-, and two-stamened flowers occur as an acropetal reduction series along the primary inflorescence or secondary inflorescence axis. Whether or not floral bracts are present, the stamens arise simultaneously in a whorl on the flank of a flattened floral apex. The stamens do not form in the axils of the floral bracts. The pattern of male flower development is the same in all other species examined. It is concluded that this pattern of flower development illustrates a conservative sequence of ontogenetic events within the family. This is of taxonomic and phylogenetic significance.