The Morphology of Staminate Flower Differentiation in Pecan

Abstract

Abstract Inflorescence and staminate flower development in pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) K. Koch] were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Organogenesis was described from inception to pollen dehiscence. The order of organ initiation was: a single bract, rounded floral apex, 2 lateral bracteoles, and 3-7 stamens. The initiation and time when stages of floral differentiation occur were determined for 1 protandrous and 2 protogynous cultivars. The time of early inflorescence development and the initiation of floral primordia and bracts were similar in both cultivar types, occurring about 12 months prior to staminate maturity. However, the initiation time of later floral development stages was divergent. The floral stages in the protandrous cultivar up to anther lobing occurred during the previous growing season. In the protogynous cultivars, initiation of bracteoles, the floral apex, stamen primordia and anther lobing took place in the spring of their anthesis.