The development of endosperm inLantana camara L.

Summary

The multinucleate antipodal cells inLantana camara L. are described with reference to their duration. The occurrence of mitotic divisions of the antipodal nuclei is confirmed. The antipodal unit begins to degenerate after the second cell generation in endosperm.

The pattern of mature delineation of endosperm is blocked out when the endosperm is composed of three superposed cells. The micropylar cell undergoes two divisions at right angles to each other to constitute a four-celled micropylar haustorium. The chalazal cell differentiates in a similar way into the chalazal haustorium. The middle cell builds up the body of the endosperm. The four cells of the micropylar haustorium remain as such at maturity while cytomixis is accomplished in the chalazal haustorium, at later stages. The reported occurrence of an antipodal haustorium is disproved.