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Macro- and micromorphological characterization of staminodes in the Plains Prickly Pear Opuntia polyacantha Haw. (Cactaceae)

  • Structural Botany - Original Article
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Abstract

Staminodes are floral structures occurring in approximately one-third of the angiosperms. These organs often go unnoticed in nature because they may mimic other floral parts. Consequently, their macro- and micromorphological portrayal in the literature is limited. This study presents a detailed descriptive account of staminodes in the Cactaceae, specifically the Plains Prickly Pear, Opuntia polyacantha Haw., a species with both regular (lacking staminodes) and staminodial flowers. We present the first morphological overview of staminodes in the Cactaceae, rendering a wider perception of the variability in patterns of floral parts in this plant group. Light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that staminodes are complex parts located in the middle and outer androecial whorls and display a wide diversity of shapes and sizes. These staminodes (resembling either stamens or tepals) are considered transitional organs deriving from fertile stamens along the androecial margins via a series of transformations involving gradual widening and amalgamation with tepals. Unlike the typical dysfunctional angiosperm staminodes, pollen viability counts showed that some O. polyacantha staminodes produce fertile pollen similar in shape and size to regular stamens. The staminodes boost an increase in floral size and diameter in relation to non-staminodial flowers. Thus, larger flower diameter and landing platform combined with added viable pollen from staminodes promote visual attraction for pollinators and reproductive assurance. Because of the presence of fertile pollen, broadening the meaning of the term staminode is discussed along with the putative origin of these appendages.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the Plant Systematics personnel for critical comments on early drafts of the manuscript. Special thanks to Mr. Dewey Litwiller, and Mr. Guosheng Liu, and Mr. Marlynn Mierau for technical assistance.

Funding

Financial support for this study was made possible by the National Geographic Society (Grant No. 7382-02) and the University of Saskatchewan Tri-Council Bridge (Grant No. 411051) to JHCS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada

    Ryan S. Rice, Roy Vera-Vélez, Denver J. Falconer, Nicholas A. Belliveau & J. Hugo Cota-Sánchez

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  1. Ryan S. Rice
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  2. Roy Vera-Vélez
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  3. Denver J. Falconer
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  5. J. Hugo Cota-Sánchez
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Contributions

RSR conducted data collection, microscopic work, and preparation of figures of flowers and staminodes. RSR, DJF, and NAB carried out fieldwork and assisted with data collection. RVV conducted the statistical analyses and prepared related figures for the manuscript. JHCS conceived, designed, supervised, and validated the research. All authors contributed to discussions, writing of the manuscript, and read and approved the final document.

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Correspondence to J. Hugo Cota-Sánchez.

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J. Hugo Cota-Sánchez is Associate Editor of the Brazilian Journal of Botany, and this article was entirely handled by a different Associate Editor.

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Rice, R.S., Vera-Vélez, R., Falconer, D.J. et al. Macro- and micromorphological characterization of staminodes in the Plains Prickly Pear Opuntia polyacantha Haw. (Cactaceae). Braz. J. Bot 45, 665–678 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-022-00790-8

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