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Embryology of Iris mandshurica Maxim. (Iridaceae) and its systematic relationships

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Abstract

Sporogenesis, gametogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis of Iris mandshurica Maxim. were observed using the normal paraffin method. The results are as follows: the development of the anther wall following the dicotyledonous type consisting of four layers, the epidermis, the endothecium, one middle layer and the secretory tapetum. Fibrous thickenings develop in the endothecium when the anther is shed. Simultaneous cytokinesis during microsporogenesis results in a tetrahedral tetrad of microspores. Mature pollen grains are two-celled. The ovary is inferior and trilocular with axial placenta. The ovule is anatropous, bitegminous and crassinucellate. The archesporial cell below the nucellar epidermis undergoes periclinal division producing the primary parietal cell and the primary sporogenous cell. The primary parietal cell participates in the nucellar formation; the primary sporogenous cell differentiates directly as the megasporocyte. Successive cytokinesis in the megasporocyte usually produces the linear tetrad, and the chalazal megaspore of the tetrad develops into a Polygonum-type embryo sac. The fertilization mode is porogamy. The pollen tube enters into the embryo sac and discharges two sperm 16–20 h after pollination. The fertilization is the postmitotic type of syngamy. The first division of the zygote is transversal. Endosperm formation is of the nuclear type. The systematic significance of the embryological characters of I. mandshurica is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study enjoyed generous support from the National Science Fund of China (30872062), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (200802250010), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (20070420893), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DL09CA10), Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China (42400625–4–08005) and the Key Project of Harbin Science and Technology Bureau (2008AA6CN090).

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  1. Department of Ornamental Plants and Horticulture, College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China

    Di Zhang, Ling Wang & Li-huan Zhuo

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  1. Di Zhang
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  2. Ling Wang
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  3. Li-huan Zhuo
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Correspondence to Ling Wang or Li-huan Zhuo.

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Zhang, D., Wang, L. & Zhuo, Lh. Embryology of Iris mandshurica Maxim. (Iridaceae) and its systematic relationships. Plant Syst Evol 293, 43–52 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-011-0427-1

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