Sexual Plant Reproduction

, Volume 5, Issue 4, pp 298–303 | Cite as

A unique anther-mucilage in the pollination biology of Tylosema esculentum

  • Helena M. De Frey
  • L. A. Coetzer
  • P. J. Robbertse
Original Articles

Summary

Tylosema esculentum, a perennial geophyte bearing yellow distylous flowers in racemes, maintains a high degree of outbreeding through reciprocal herkogamy. In addition, a viscous liquid, the anther-mucilage, is produced by the anther connective tissue and released concurrently with the pollen. The polysaccharide- and lipid-rich mucilage, which is functional in the shedding and transfer of pollen, is available for more than 1 day due to the gradual solidification of the mucilage. The assimilation of the pollen with the liquid substance significantly affects the pollination biology of T. esculentum. This is the first report on the unique phenomenon of wet pollen in the Caesalpiniaceae.

Key words

Wet pollen Morama/Marama bean Gemsbuck bean Shedding Pollen transfer 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • Helena M. De Frey
    • 1
  • L. A. Coetzer
    • 2
  • P. J. Robbertse
    • 2
  1. 1.Grassland Research CentreLynn EastRepublic of South Africa
  2. 2.Department of Botany, University of PretoriaMargaretha Mes Institute for Seed ResearchPretoriaRepublic of South Africa

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