中国淫羊藿属(小檗科)二新种

报道了中国小檗科Berberidaceae淫羊藿属Epimedium两个新种,拟巫山淫羊藿Epimedium pseudowushanense B.L.Guo和青城山淫羊藿E.qingchengshanense G.Y.Zhong ＆ B.L.Guo。拟巫山淫羊藿产于贵州黔东南州和广西北部,一直因小叶片相似被误定为巫山淫羊藿Epimedium wushanense T.S.Ying,但二者花的结构极其不同。拟巫山淫羊藿以花瓣距细和瓣片有皱褶而与产于湖北的直距淫羊藿E.mikinorii Stearn相类似,但距较短,长仅10–15mm,瓣片小,小叶片狭卵形至披针形,叶背面被稀疏的白色长毛,具白粉,花瓣紫红色或紫色,内轮萼片宽卵形或卵形,可以区别。青城山淫羊藿局限分布于四川都江堰市青城山后山,该种为淫羊藿属雄蕊显著伸长的种类,与川鄂淫羊藿E.fargesii Franch.相似,但花各部较川鄂淫羊藿为小,花瓣瓣片大而圆,不裂,花丝紫色可以区别。     

淫羊藿属植物形态分类性状评述

淫羊藿属是分类学上研究的热点和难点,其类群发表和修订均较频繁。为更清晰掌握淫羊藿属的性状变异,该文在查阅该属研究成果和标本的基础上,结合课题组野外调查和分析,对该属重要性状进行系统梳理。花瓣式样是淫羊藿属分类的最重要依据,但并非绝对稳定,种内花瓣形态可能存在丰富变异。花瓣颜色、花药颜色,甚至花的大小至少在部分类群中不宜作为分类的主要依据。根茎性状在多数类群中不失为一个有用的分类性状,但不能一概而论,应基于广泛调查。多数类群的花茎上叶的类型及小叶存在不同程度的变异,在实际应用中存在一定困难。非腺毛特征十分复杂,不同样本存在不同程度差异,不宜作为物种鉴别的关键依据。淫羊藿属植物栽培后植株普遍更矮小,提示开展自然生境下的调查和形态观测对掌握物种形态特征非常必要。中国淫羊藿属类群仍处于活跃进化中,其形态变异复杂,物种鉴定和资源利用时应足够谨慎。     

不同大花类群淫羊藿属植物的花部特征及生殖特征研究

淫羊藿是我国重要的草本植物,在中药、功能性食品和园林观赏等领域都具有重要用途,受地域差异性影响,淫羊藿属植物的植株形态、花部特征、开花物候和生殖特征各不相同。本研究对四川不同产地野生种群大花类淫羊藿（巫山淫羊藿、粗毛淫羊藿和宝兴淫羊藿）的开花动态、花部特征、访花昆虫与繁殖系统进行了对比研究。结果表明：（1）3种淫羊藿属植物的开花期较为集中,巫山淫羊藿和粗毛淫羊藿的花期为3月下旬～4月下旬,单花花期均为3～4 d;宝兴淫羊藿的花期为4月中旬～5月中旬,单花花期5～6 d;（2）膜翅目和双翅目昆虫为3种淫羊藿属植物的有效访花者,有效访花者访花特性与花部特征之间具有明显的相关性;（3）3种淫羊藿属植物的花序、花和果实的数量受所处环境影响较大,自然结实率：巫山淫羊藿>宝兴淫羊藿>粗毛淫羊藿;温度和光照是最主要的影响因子。     

中国淫羊藿属药用植物花粉特征及其分类学意义

淫羊藿属(Epimedium L.)植物多为常用药材,分类和药材鉴定较为困难。该文采用扫描电镜对中国产淫羊藿属31种药用植物花粉的形态、大小和表面纹饰等进行了比较观察。结果显示:(1)淫羊藿属植物花粉形态多为长球形,少数为球形,大小为(15.5~25.0)×(27.3~48.1)μm,极面观多为三裂圆形,具三孔沟。(2)花粉粒外壁表面纹饰有网状、条网状、条纹状等类型。(3)花粉粒外壁纹饰如网眼的形状、大小和网脊表面特征等在各物种间有一定差异。研究结果为淫羊藿属药材鉴定与植物分类提供了重要的参考。     

淫羊藿属植物的数量分类学研究

通过观测淫羊藿属植物的30个质量性状和15个数量性状,利用聚类分析和主成分分析的方法研究淫羊藿属属下类群的分类关系。结果表明:(1)聚类分析结果将淫羊藿属中国种类划分为大花类群和小花类群,支持Stearn对Sect.Macroceras、Sect.Polyphyllon和Subg.Rhizophyllum的处理,但认为Sect.Epimedium的分类地位尚需进一步探讨。(2)主成分分析结果显示,性状的累积贡献率不是很高,前3个主成分累积贡献率为51.86%,这可能与本属植物演化过程中性状变异的多样化和复杂化相关,但由主成分分析的结果仍可以看出中国种类被划分为大花类群和小花类群。研究认为,花瓣与内萼片长度比、花瓣是否具距、萼片轮数等作为主成分反映的性状对淫羊藿属分类具有重要价值。     

淫羊藿开花的时空效应对其结实的影响

运用非参数检验和单因素方差分析,研究了淫羊藿开花的花序水平的位置效应与空间效应对结实的影响.结果表明:(1)开花时间效应对内萼片长、内萼片宽、花药长、距宽、距长的影响显著,其参数均是早期和中期大于晚期;花部空间对内萼片长和内萼片宽的影响显著,而对花药长、距长和距宽的影响不显著.(2)开花时期对淫羊藿结实率无显著差异,但早期和中期的结实率要远远高于晚期;时间效应对果实形态参数的影响极显著,且大小均为早期大于中期和晚期;早期和中期的果实重量和种子数要显著高于晚期,而在晚期的果实种子数败育率较高.(3)在开花的空间效应中,基部和中部之间的结实率无显著差异,但两者显著高于顶部的结实率;基部的果实形态参数要高于中部和顶部;从果实重量和种子数来看,基部和中部要大于顶部,但顶部的果实败育率高于基部和中部.因此,对于淫羊藿的实际繁殖或药用,应采摘早期和中期开花的基部果实,其效果会更好.     

紫距淫羊藿的地理分布新记录及形态描述

淫羊藿属依据少量栽培个体命名的类群普遍存在,往往缺乏足够的野外调查和形态性状统计,对其性状变异幅度、变异式样和分类价值研究不够。紫距淫羊藿(Epimedium epsteinii)由Stearn于1997年依据引种个体命名,为掌握其资源分布及形态性状变异,该研究基于居群概念,对淫羊藿属分布区展开调查,在各分布区选择一个居群(30个体/居群)于花期进行形态观察、统计和描述。结果表明:紫距淫羊藿以往被认为狭域分布于湖南天平山,该研究调查发现广东省和湖北省均有分布,为新分布记录。此两处新分布分别位于天平山的南部和北部,将其自然分布区显著扩大。基于居群观测的形态变异较原描述更广泛。6个主要数量性状(株高、序轴长、小花数、叶长、叶宽和根茎)和花部颜色在居群间和个体间均呈现丰富的变异。生物种的分布范围并非完全连续,而是由若干个多少间断的居群组成,任何一个居群都存在不同程度的连续性变异,要更好地认识各物种,就应当足够重视这些居群系统。紫距淫羊藿的新分布记录对淫羊藿属的资源利用、扩散机制和系统地理学研究具有重要意义。     

水筛的花器官发生

利用扫描电镜首次对水筛[Blxa japonica(Miq.)Maxim.ex Asch.et Guerk.]花器官的发生进行了观察。结果显示：萼片原基以轮关方式向心发生;花瓣原基轮状近同时发生,与萼片基基交替排列;雄蕊原基以对萼的形式轮关发生,与花瓣原基轮状近同时发生,与萼片原基交替排列;雄蕊原基以对萼的形式轮状发生,与花瓣原基交替排列;花柱原基在整个花的发育过程中发生较晚,以对瓣的形式轮状发生,与雄蕊原基交替排列。与同科其它属的花比较,水筛的花为两性,辐射对称,胚珠多数,体现了较原始的特征。花各部数目均为3,进化程度居于中间水平。该属花各部轮状发生,子房下位,心皮合生,体现了本科在泽泻亚纲中花部结构进化的特征。     

箭叶淫羊藿与近缘种天平山淫羊藿花粉形态对比研究

该研究采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM, scanning electron microscope)对箭叶淫羊藿13个居群(含箭叶淫羊藿光叶变种1个居群)、天平山淫羊藿7个居群进行花粉形态和外壁纹饰的观察及对比研究。结果表明:两个类群的花粉均为近球形,具三孔沟,大小相近。箭叶淫羊藿的花粉大小为(18.21～21.66)μm ×(19.55～23.63)μm, 天平山淫羊藿的花粉大小为(18.32～21.43)μm ×(19.73～23.48)μm。外壁纹饰是花粉形态的重要性状。不同居群间花粉外壁纹饰存在较大差异,主要分为网纹纹饰、条网纹纹饰和颗粒状纹饰三大类,继而根据网脊类型和网眼密度分为六亚类。其中,箭叶淫羊藿的花粉形态包含了全部的三大类六亚类,天平山淫羊藿包含其中的三大类四亚类。天平山淫羊藿花粉特征为箭叶淫羊藿花粉形态变异的子集。整体而言,外壁纹饰类型随纬度和海拔增加呈现出由网状纹饰向条网状纹饰过渡的趋势。花粉主要形态性状特征均与海拔存在密切相关性。在花粉形态及外壁纹饰特征上,天平山淫羊藿在箭叶淫羊藿变异范围之内,与其他宏观形态性状变异一致。花粉形态性状无法将两类群有效区分,未能提供天平山淫羊藿作为独立种的有力支撑。这暗示花粉形态证据在厘清近缘类群之间的系统发育关系意义相对有限,但能否对该属系统发育树大支的界定提供有力证据还有待于进一步研究。     

南天竹属的花部器官发生及其系统学意义

报道了南天竹（ＮａｎｄｉｎａｄｏｍｅｓｔｉｃａＴｈｕｎｂ．）（小檗科）的花部器官发生。发现该属植物萼片、花瓣和雄蕊的发生式样为三数轮生;雄蕊与花瓣是经它们所具有的共同原基进行侧向分裂而形成的;花瓣发育早期存在迟滞发育的阶段;心皮发生属于瓶状发生类型。讨论了花器官的三基数性质,小檗科花瓣的来源,雄蕊对瓣着生及单心皮雌蕊的形成等问题。对本属的花部个体发育性状同小檗科中已有报道的红毛七属（Ｃａｕｌｏｐｈｙｌｕｍ）、足叶草属（Ｐｏｄｏｐｈｙｌｕｍ）进行了比较,萼片多数轮列与心皮发生的多态现象是南天竹属的独特性状。     

Continuous petal variation in Epimedium tianmenshanense (Berberidaceae), a taxon endemic to western Hunan,China

In the protologue, Epimedium tianmenshanense (Berberidaceae), a species endemic to western Hunan, China, was described as ‘flower small, 0.2–0.4 cm diam., inner sepals white, petals as long as inner sepals or a little shorter than the latter, spur very short, ca 5.0 mm’. However, both morphological characteristics and molecular evidence suggest that E. tianmenshanense is closely related to E. baojingense, a taxon with a long spur, thus suggesting that the size of the floral parts is not as reliable as previously believed. When investigating the variability of E. tianmenshanense in more detail, in the field as well as in cultivation, we found that the petals were are highly variable in morphology (both shape and size), being cucullate, subulate, short to long spurred, and with various transitions. The flowers size varied from small to large accordingly. The flowers with cucullate and subulate petals, which were a little shorter than the inner sepals or almost as long as the latter, were small (about 0.8 cm in diameter). The flowers with long spurs, which were much longer than the inner sepals, were also large (about 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter). Finally, the flowers with short spurs, which were a little longer than the inner sepals, were medium-sized (about 1.0–1.2 cm in diameter). In addition, the color of inner sepals was revised from ‘white, occasionally light mulberry-purple’ to yellowish green or yellowish white. Epimedium tianmenshanense is a perfect example of natural petal evolution, which could be used for further taxonomic and evolutionary studies. The reason for the variation and the taxonomic treatment of the species still need further study.     

Selection for floral integration and trait variation in zygomorphic flowers of Aconitum japonicum ssp. subcuneatum (Ranunculaceae)

Pollinator-mediated selection might lead to among-trait differences in the degree and pattern of floral integration and intra-flower variation. To examine the patterns of intra-flower variation in floral traits, including nectar volume, we performed a field study using the zygomorphic flowers of Aconitum japonicum ssp. subcuneatum. We investigated (1) correlations between the sizes of the left and right sepals and petals, (2) variation in floral traits among plants, within plants and within flowers, (3) effects of sexual phases on floral integration variation in floral and nectar traits, and (4) the effect of size and intra-flower variation in traits of the left and right sepals and petals on pollen removal by pollinators. Lateral sepal area, but not lower sepal area, was highly correlated between the left and right sepals. Floral traits were more integrated during the male phase than during the female phase. Nectar standing crop in male-phase flowers correlated with helmet height and lateral and lower sepal area, but in female-phase flowers it only correlated with spur length. While intra-flower variance in lateral sepal area accounted for approximately 10% of the overall variance in these traits, the variance in lower sepal area accounted for 70% of the overall variance. Lateral sepal area had a negative effect on the number of pollen grains remaining after pollinator visits. Low variance in lateral sepals within flowers and measurements of pollen removal suggest that lateral sepals play a more important role in pollen export than the other traits. Left and right sepals may be the targets of selection for symmetry in zygomorphic flowers.

     

Pollinators of the Rocky Mountain columbine: temporal variation, functional groups and associations with floral traits

Background and Aims

Pollinators together with other biotic and some abiotic factors can select for floral traits. However, variation in pollinator abundance over time and space can weaken such selection. In the present study, the variation in pollinator abundance over time and space was examined in populations of the Rocky Mountain columbine. The variation in three floral traits is described and correlations between pollinator type, functional pollinator groups or altitude and floral traits are examined.

Methods

Pollinator observations took place in six Aquilegia coerulea populations over 1–4 years and spur length, flower colour and sepal length were measured in 12 populations. Pollinator abundance, measured as visits per flower per hour, was compared among populations and years. Pollinators were grouped into two functional groups: pollen or nectar collectors. The following associations were examined: annual presence of hawkmoths and whiter flowers with longer spurs; the presence of Sphinx vashti and longer spurs; and higher altitudes and whiter flowers. The study looked at whether an increase in the proportion of hawkmoths in a population was associated with whiter and larger flowers with longer spurs.

Key Results

The abundance of different pollinator groups varied over time and space. Floral traits varied among populations. Higher altitude was correlated with bluer flowers. Whiter flowers were associated with the annual presence of hawkmoths. Populations visited by Sphinx vashti had longer spurs than populations visited only by Hyles lineata. Populations with greater percentage of nectar-collecting pollinators did not have whiter, larger flowers with longer spurs.

Conclusions

Despite the large variation in pollinator abundance over time and space, one species of bumble-bee or hawkmoth tended to predominate in each population each year. Future studies of Aquilegia coerulea should examine the specific influences of pollinators and the environment on flower colour and of hawkmoth species on spur length.Key words: Aquilegia coerulea, columbine, pollinator abundance, bumble-bee, hawkmoth, flower colour, spur length, functional pollinator group, altitude, floral trait     

展毛翠雀的花性状表型选择

传粉者的选择作用是花表型性状进化的重要驱动力, 解析选择作用的强度是理解花进化的关键。通过表型操控实验和表型选择研究能够分析花性状与其适合度的关系, 探究花性状的表型选择作用。为揭示花性状变化对雌性适合度的影响, 本研究处理展毛翠雀(Delphinium kamaonense var. glabrescens)花萼片大小, 并进行表型选择分析。结果表明: 人为减小展毛翠雀花萼片显著降低了传粉者的访花频率, 但是并没有影响种子产量(种子数和结籽率), 说明展毛翠雀花萼片的大小不影响种子产量, 可能主要吸引传粉昆虫输出花粉。通过雌性适合度(种子数量)估计表型选择梯度, 发现花萼片大小(长和宽)没有受到显著的直接选择梯度。但是, 花距长受到显著的线性选差和选择梯度, 表明花距的延长能够增加种子产量。本研究表明展毛翠雀花性状受到选择的作用, 但萼片和花距有不同的功能, 分别影响传粉者访问频率和种子产量。     

Investigating the independent evolution of the size of floral organs via G-matrix estimation and artificial selection

The attractiveness of a plant to pollinators is dependent on both the number of flowers produced and the size of the petals. However, limiting resources often result in a size/number trade-off, whereby the plant can make either more flowers or larger flowers, but not both. If developmental genes underlying sepal and petal identity (some of which overlap) also influence size, then this shared genetic basis could constrain the independent evolution of floral size and attractiveness. Here, we determined whether the size of sepals and petals in the dioecious perennial, Silene latifolia, are developmentally independent by performing two experiments: a genetic variance-covariance experiment to estimate genetic correlations between calyx width, petal-limb length, flower mass, and number and a four-bout artificial-selection experiment to alter calyx width and estimate the correlated response in petal-limb length. In addition, we determined whether variation in petal-limb length is the result of cell expansion or cell proliferation. The first experiment revealed that petal-limb length is not genetically correlated with calyx width, and the second experiment confirmed this; selection on calyx width did not result in a predictable or significant change in petal-limb length. Flower number was negatively correlated with all the floral traits measured, indicating a flower size/number trade-off. Cell number, but not size, explained a significant amount of the variation in petal-limb length. We conclude that the size of the two outer floral organs can evolve independently. This species can therefore increase the number of flowers produced by decreasing investment in the calyx without simultaneously decreasing petal size and the attractiveness of each individual flower to pollinators.     

Optimal pollinator attraction strategies in Trollius ranunculoides Hemsl. (Ranunculaceae) at different altitudes: increased floral display or promotion of nectar output?

For alpine plant species, patterns of resource allocation to functional floral traits for pollinator attraction can be highly significant in adaptation to low pollinator abundance and consequent pollen limitation. Increased pollination can be achieved either through a larger floral display or production of more pollen rewards. In this study, variation in resource allocation to different components for pollinator attraction was studied along an altitudinal gradient in Trollius ranunculoides, an obligate self‐incompatible out‐crosser of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. We compared resource allocation to conspicuous yellow sepals (which mainly provide visual attraction) and degenerate petals (which provide the major nectar reward) between populations at four altitudes. Furthermore, we investigated the contribution of sepals and petals to pollinator attraction and female reproductive success in an experiment with sepal or petal removal at sites at different altitudes. At the level of single flowers, resource allocation increased to sepals but decreased to petals with increasing altitude. Consistent with these results, sepals contributed much more to visitation rate and seed set than petals, as confirmed in the sepal or petal removal experiment. Sepals and petals contributed to female reproductive success by ensuring visitation rate rather than visitation duration. To alleviate increasing pollen limitation with increasing altitude, resource allocation patterns of T. ranunculoides altered to favour development of sepals rather than petals. This strategy may improve pollination and reproductive success through visual attraction (sepal) rather than nectar reward (petal) over a gradient of decreasing pollinator abundance.     

Pollinators and nectar robbers cause directional selection for large spur circle in Impatiens oxyanthera (Balsaminaceae)

Nectar spurs have an important role in floral evolution and plant–pollinator coadaptation. The flowers of some species possess spurs curving into a circle. However, it is unclear whether spur circle diameter is under direct selection pressure from different sources, such as pollinators and nectar robbers. In this study, we quantified selection on some floral traits, such as spur circle diameter in Impatiens oxyanthera (Balsaminaceae) using phenotypic selection analysis and compared the relative importance of pollinators and nectar robbers as selective agents using mediation analysis. The study showed that pollinators caused significant selection on corolla length, spur curvature and spur circle diameter while nectar robbers only imposed strong selection on spur circle diameter. Pollinators favored flowers with large corolla, curly spurs and large spur circle while nectar robbers preferred flowers with small spur circle. More pollinator visits resulted in higher female reproductive success, while robbery reduced female fitness. Conflicting selection on spur traits from pollinators and nectar robbers was not found. Mediation analysis showed that selection on floral traits through nectar robbing was stronger than selection through pollination. The results suggested that pollinators and nectar robbers jointly mediated the directional selection for large spur circle, and nectar robbers caused stronger selection than pollinators on floral traits.     

Discovery of androecium color polymorphism in Epimedium pubescens with habitat preference of anther/pollen color in the genus

Aims Interspecific and intraspecific variation in flower color in natural populations provides an opportunity for us to understand the evolution and maintenance of diversity of floral traits. Compared to corolla color, little is known about the color polymorphism of sexual organs in flowering plants. To explore evolutionary transitions of androecium color and polymorphism within species, interspecific and intraspecific variation in androecium (anther and pollen) color in the genus Epimedium (Berberidaceae) was investigated.Methods To explore the geographical patterns of anther/pollen color variation in Epimedium species, data of 45 species were collected and their phylogeny was constructed based on available DNA sequences. To investigate whether intraspecific variation in androecium color relates to habitat preference, three environmental factors were measured in the field population of Epimedium pubescens in northeastern Sichuan, China, which plants had green or yellow androecia. Vegetative and reproductive traits of this species were compared between the two color morphs.Important findings Androecium (anther and pollen) color polymorphism in field populations of Epimedium pubescens is reported here where nine populations are monomorphic with a green androecium but three populations are dimorphic with individuals having either a green or a yellow androecium. Inflorescence stalk height, stalk diameter, leaf number, flower number and spur length (as well as spur and nectar volume) were not significantly different between two morphs. Compared to the yellow morph, the green morph had relatively larger leaves and anthers, but smaller sepals. The green morph produced more pollen and larger seeds, but the same number of ovules. Seed set was not significantly different between green and yellow morph. Investigations of environmental factors in the color dimorphic populations of E. pubescens indicated that the green morph was more likely to occur in habitats with relatively lower light intensity. The distribution survey of 45 Epimedium species showed that species with a green androecium tended to appear at lower elevations. Comparative phylogenetic analysis showed that transitions from yellow to a green androecium or to androecial color dimorphism occurred at least seven times. This genus, characterized by anther color diversity and containing some species with anther color polymorphism, provides a model system in which to study the evolution and maintenance of colorful sexual organs in flowering plants.     

Effects of floral sexual investment and dichogamy on floral longevity

Aims Floral longevity, the duration that a flower remains open and functional, varies greatly among species. Variation in floral longevity has been considered to be optimal strategy for resource allocation under different ecological conditions, mainly determined by the rates of pollination and cost of flower maintenance. However, it is unclear whether an intrinsic factor, floral sexual investment, constrains evolution of floral longevity. The theoretical model also predicts that dichogamy favors long-lived flowers, but empirical studies to test this prediction remain unexplored.Methods To examine the effect of floral sexual investment on floral longevity, we measured flower size together with pollen and ovule production in 37 sympatric flowering plants in a natural community. The duration of the female and male phase in 21 protandrous species and floral longevity of the other 16 adichogamous species were documented in the field.Important findings Floral longevity varied from 1 day to 15 days, while pollen number per flower varied from 643 to 710880 and ovule number per flower from 1 to 426 in the 37 species. Flower size was correlated with pollen production as well as ovule production. Floral longevity was positively related to pollen production but not to ovule production. Consistent with the prediction that dichogamy favors long-lived flowers, we found the floral longevity of protandrous species was significantly longer than that of adichogamous species. In the protandrous species, pollen production per flower was observed to be positively related to male duration, while ovule production was not related to female duration. Our analyses of variation in floral longevity and sexual investment among different species suggest that the floral sexual investment could be an intrinsic factor contributing to the selected floral longevity, particularly the male phase, and that high pollen production could potentially increase pollen removal, i.e. male productive success.     

Contribution of sepals and gibberellin treatments to growth and development of rose (Rosa hybrida) flowers

The fresh weight of sepals during the development of the rose flowerbuds from 4 mm to 22 mm in diameter increased fromabout 30 mg to ca. 350 mg. However, due to a morerapid gain in the total fresh weight of the flower, the sepal fresh weight as aproportion of the total weight of the buds decreased from about 55% to only 8%at the end of the measurement period. The net photosynthesis of sepals,measuredclose to the flower harvest, was approximately 60% of that in the youngest,uppermost leaves whereas no photosynthesis occured in the petals. Theconcentration of sucrose in petals of almost fully developed, desepalledflowerswas 15% lower in comparison with the control flowers with intact sepals. On theother hand, the concentration of sucrose in petals of control and desepalledflowers that were kept for 10 days in complete darkness was equal, reachingabout 50% of the concentration in petals of flowers grown in the light.Periodicmeasurements of reducing sugars in the petals did not show differences in theirconcentration between the control and desepalled flowers during the first 8daysafter sepal removal. After an additional four days the concentration ofreducingsugars in petals of the desepalled flowers was only 50% in comparison to thatinpetals of control flowers. Excising the sepals reduced fresh and dry weights,aswell as the length of buds and the peduncles, indicating that sepals may be asource of gibberellins during flower development. Treatment with50mg GA₃ in lanolin paste, completely restored thelength of the peduncles, but only partially restored the other measuredparameters of the flowers. Formation of 'star-shape' abnormality indesepalled flowers, which is a common phenomenon in rose flowers exposed toexternal ethylene was completelly prevented by applying GA₃ afterthesepals were excisied. This supported the previously suggested hypothesis aboutthe flinction of gibberellins in reducing the sensitivity of rose flower organsto ethylene.