Abstract
Overemphasis upon well‐established correlations between floral morphology and pollination agents and mechanisms may lead to a neglect of certain aspects of the vascular anatomy of the flower. Thus statements have been made that the anatomy of flowers can be studied meaningfully only in relation to particular modes of pollination, dispersal, and allied functions; that all vascular bundles in the flower are physiologically useful; and that no vestigial bundles offer clues to past evolutionary events. Such statements are here controverted by calling attention to examples of vestigial and presumably functionless vascular bundles in the flower. These are of two general kinds: 1) Vascular “stubs,” bundles that persist after the structures they formerly supplied have disappeared. Although the existence of such stubs has been questioned or denied, they do exist. Their number (except for the relatively common strands leading to lost ovules) has been exaggerated, however, and they are not usually found where they might be expected. 2) Longer vascular bundles associated with, or a part of, highly reduced floral organs. Examples of both of the above categories are provided.
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