Synorganisation without organ fusion in the flowers of Geranium robertianum (Geraniaceae) and its not so trivial obdiplostemony.
OBJECTIVE
Synorganisation of floral organs, an important means in angiosperm flower evolution, is mostly realized by congenital or post-genital organ fusion. Intimate synorganisation of many floral organs without fusion, as present in Geranium robertianum, is poorly known and needs to be studied. Obdiplostemony, the seemingly reversed position of two stamen whorls, widely distributed in core eudicots, has been the subject of much attention, but there is confusion in the literature. Obdiplostemony occurs in Geranium and whether and how it is involved in this synorganisation is explored here.


METHODS
Floral development and architecture were studied with light microscopy based on microtome section series and with scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Intimate synorganisation of floral organs is effected by the formation of five separate nectar canals for the proboscis of pollinators. Each nectar canal is formed by six adjacent organs from four organ whorls. In addition, the sepals are hooked together by the formation of longitudinal ribs and grooves, and provide a firm scaffold for the canals. Obdiplostemony provides a guide rail within each canal formed by the flanks of the antepetalous stamen filaments.


CONCLUSIONS
Intimate synorganisation in flowers can be realized without any fusion, and obdiplostemony may play a role in this synorganisation.
Endress
Peter K
PK
Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. pendress@systbot.uzh.ch
D035264:Flowers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D031314:Geraniaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008853:Microscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008954:Models, Biological
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