Studies on the Monimiaceae. I. Floral morphology and gametophyte development of Hedycarya arborea J.R. et.G. Forst. (subfamily Monimioideae)

Abstract

Inflorescences, flowers, and floral vascularization of the New Zealand endemic species Hedycarya arborea are described. Varying carpel vasculature suggests derivation of the uniovulate condition in Hedycarya from ancestors having multiovulate carpels with ovules in two rows, Floral ontogeny is described and it is noted that the terminal stigmatic region of the carpel develops from a solid terminal meristem, in contrast to many woody Ranales in which the stigma consists of crests surrounding the carpel cleft. The stigmatic surface is a mass of globose projections, apparently serving as pollen traps. No comparable type of stigma has previously been reported in the woody Ranales.

The microsporangium has a typically thickened endothecium and a tapetum of the secretory type with tapetal cells becoming binucleate during the first meiotic division of pollen mother cells. Pollen mother cell division is of the successive type with cytokinesis by centrifugally extending cell plates. The generative cell is cut off towards the distal face of the microspore. The pollen, in permanent tetrads, is shed in the two-celled condition.

Ovules are bitegmic, crassinucellate, and anatropous with a Polygonum type of embryo sac development.

Some comparisons are made with the Australian species Hedycarya angustifolia.