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Anatomy and Pollination of Cleistogamous Flowers of BenghalDayflower (Commelina benghalensis)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

W. John Hayden  and
Camille Fagan
W. John Hayden*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173
Camille Fagan
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: jhayden@richmond.edu
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Abstract

The anatomy and pollination of subterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghaldayflower (Commelina benghalensis) is described as acontribution to understanding its reproductive biology. Subterranean stemsbear one spathe per node, each enclosing a single cleistogamous flower. Onlythe three anterior stamens produce functional pollen; the posterior threestamens are staminodes. Tapetum is amoeboid and endothecium is present. Thethree-carpellate superior ovary bears five dimorphic orthotropous ovules.Nearly mature flowers have straight to somewhat curved styles; at maturity,styles elongate and coil. Our observations indicate that coiled style growthcauses rupture of anthers and brings pollen into contact with stigmas.Pollen tubes were observed in styles that had previously undergone coiling,located within mucilaginous secretions of the mature stylar canal. Thesubterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghal dayflower and their apparentlyunique mode of pollination, viewed together with reproductive capacity ofits aerial chasmogamous flowers, underscore the complexity and flexibilityof the reproductive biology of this noxious weed species.

Keywords

Benghal dayflower, Commelina benghalensis L., COMBETropical spiderwortCommelinaceae

Information

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 64 , Issue 3 , September 2016 , pp. 455 - 462
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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Footnotes

Associate Editor for this paper: Theodore Webster, USDA-ARS.

References

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