Floral Development in Acacia pycnantha Benth. In Hook

Abstract

Floral buds of Acacia pycnantha were produced in every month of the year on new shoot growth. The buds produced between November and May developed through to flowering but those produced between June and October aborted at an early stage. Differences in the rate of floral development caused buds produced several months apart to flower in the same month in late winter.

Developmental stages from newly produced flower heads to anthesis were studied by light microscopy. Pollen development preceded ovule development and the 16-celled polyads were formed 1 month prior to flowering and before development of the embryo sac.