澜沧荛花(瑞香科)的花部形态发生 及其系统学意义

通过扫描电镜对澜沧荛花Wikstroemia delavayi花部的形态发生过程进行了观察和分析,旨在为该属的系统学研究提供花部发育形态学资料。澜沧尧花花部的发生和早期发育呈远轴面向近轴面的顺序,但这一式样由于近轴面的器官在早期发育之后生长加速发生了转变。因此,花开放时所表现的所谓辐射对称,显然是由同一轮器官的异率生长所导致的次生现象。花盘发生于花萼筒基部的远轴面上,与花萼、雄蕊的发生间隔时间较长。花盘原基在下轮雄蕊着生处凹陷或间断,与之相对应,花盘裂片与下轮雄蕊呈互生。由此,花盘显然不是花托的一部分,也不是象花萼、雄蕊和心皮一样的独立结构,将其解释为雄蕊群的一部分更合理。花盘的发生和早期发育及其着生位置同其他花部器官的发生和发育式样具有明显的相关性,这种相关性对进一步阐明瑞香属Daphne和荛花属Wikstroemia的系统发育关系具有—定意义。根据对雌蕊群的发生和发育过程观察,该种的子房是由一个近轴面的可育心皮和一个远轴面的不育心皮融合而成的单室子房,为假单心皮雌蕊。尽管荛花属和瑞香属均属于单室产房,但澜沧荛花的子房维管束中的腹束排列于中轴位置,而目前资料显示瑞香属植物的腹束接近于侧膜位置,这方面仍需进一步研究。     

澜沧荛花(瑞香科)的花部形态发生yh及其系统学意义(英文)

通过扫描电镜对澜沧荛花Wikstroemiadelavayi花部的形态发生过程进行了观察和分析 ,旨在为该属的系统学研究提供花部发育形态学资料。澜沧荛花花部的发生和早期发育呈远轴面向近轴面的顺序 ,但这一式样由于近轴面的器官在早期发育之后生长加速发生了转变。因此 ,花开放时所表现的所谓辐射对称 ,显然是由同一轮器官的异率生长所导致的次生现象。花盘发生于花萼筒基部的远轴面上 ,与花萼、雄蕊的发生间隔时间较长。花盘原基在下轮雄蕊着生处凹陷或间断 ,与之相对应 ,花盘裂片与下轮雄蕊呈互生。由此 ,花盘显然不是花托的一部分 ,也不是象花萼、雄蕊和心皮一样的独立结构 ,将其解释为雄蕊群的一部分更合理。花盘的发生和早期发育及其着生位置同其他花部器官的发生和发育式样具有明显的相关性 ,这种相关性对进一步阐明瑞香属Daphne和荛花属Wikstroemia的系统发育关系具有一定意义。根据对雌蕊群的发生和发育过程观察 ,该种的子房是由一个近轴面的可育心皮和一个远轴面的不育心皮融合而成的单室子房 ,为假单心皮雌蕊。尽管荛花属和瑞香属均属于单室子房 ,但澜沧荛花的子房维管束中的腹束排列于中轴位置 ,而目前资料显示瑞香属植物的腹束接近于侧膜位置 ,这方面仍需进一步研究     

Comparative floral development in Lamioideae (Lamiaceae): Marrubium,Phlomis, and Stachys

A comparative study of floral ontogeny and development was carried out on three genera (Marrubium L., Phlomis L., Stachys L.), representing three tribes of Lamioideae (Marrubieae, Phlomideae, Stachydeae) using epi-illumination light microscopy. The sequence of organ whorl appearance in all three genera is sepals, petals plus stamens, and carpels. Sepal appearance is reversed unidirectional starting from the adaxial side in all except Phlomis, which is unidirectional. Order of petal appearance is bidirectional in Marrubium and Stachys, and simultaneous in Phlomis. Stamens appear unidirectionally starting from the adaxial side in all except in Phlomis, which has an abaxial to adaxial unidirectional sequence. Significant developmental features distinguishing the three genera from each other include (1) weakly monosymmetric, elongated calyx tube, five-lobed corolla, divergent anthers with thecae transverse to the filament, unequally bifid stigma and ovary with glandular hairs in Marrubium; (2) actinomorphic hairy calyx, four-lobed corolla and unequally bifid stigma in Phlomis; and (3) glabrous calyx, equally bifid stigma and symmetric disc nectary in Stachys. Our results indicate some potential for floral ontogenetic features in delimiting the different tribes. The hypothetical evolutionary pathway of organogenesis sequences is discussed.     

A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY ON THE INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLORAL ORGANS OF BRASSICA NAPUS (CV. WESTAR)

The initiation and development of the floral organs of Brassica napus L. (cv. Westar) were examined using the scanning electron microscope. After transition of the vegetative apex into an inflorescence apex, flower primordia were initiated in a helical phyllotactic pattern. The sequence of initiation of the floral organs in a flower bud was that of sepals, stamens, petals and gynoecium. Of the four sepal primordia, the abaxial was initiated first, followed by the two lateral and finally the adaxial primordium. The four long stamens were initiated simultaneously in positions alternating with the sepals. The two short stamens were initiated basipetal to and outside the long stamens, and opposite the lateral sepals. The petals arose on either side of the two short stamens and the gynoecium was produced from the remainder of the apex. During development, the sepal primordia curved sharply at the tips and tightly enclosed the other organs. Stamen primordia developed tetralobed anthers at an early stage while filament elongation occurred just prior to anthesis. A unique pattern of bulbous cells was present on the abaxial surface of the anther. Growth of petal primordia lagged relative to the other floral organs but expansion was rapid prior to anthesis. The gynoecium primordium was characterized by an invagination early in development. At maturity, there was differentiation of a papillate stigma, an elongated style and a long ovary marked externally by sutures and divided internally by a septum. Distinct patterns of cuticular thickenings were observed on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the petals and stamens and on the surface of the style. The patterns were less obvious on the sepals and ovary. Stomata were present on both surfaces of the mature sepals, on the style and restricted areas on the abaxial surface of the anthers and nectaries but were absent from the petals, the adaxial surface of the stamens and the ovary. No hairs were present on any of the floral organs.     

Comparative floral development in the tribe Mentheae (Nepetoideae: Lamiaceae) and its bearing on the evolution of floral patterns in asterids

A comparative developmental study of flowers was carried out using epi-illumination light microscopy on four genera of Lamiaceae (Nepeta, Rosmarinus, Salvia, andZiziphora), representing all three subtribes of Mentheae. All species examined share unidirectional (adaxial to abaxial) sepal initiation, except Rosmarinus, which has the reverse unidirectional sequence, starting abaxially. Initiated but suppressed bracteoles were detected only in Rosmarinus. In Rosmarinus, Salvia, and Ziziphora, initiation of petals and stamens proceeds unidirectionally from the abaxial side. Floral initiation of Nepeta has bidirectional inception of petals and unidirectional stamen initiation from the adaxial side. Temporal overlap in organ initiation between petal and stamen whorls occurs in all taxa, though this feature is more prominent in Rosmarinus. Significant structural and developmental features that distinguish the four genera include: (1) polysymmetric calyx tube, highly tomentose corolla and deeply four-partitioned ovary in Nepeta; (2) monosymmetric two-lipped calyx and shallowly four-partitioned ovary in Ziziphora; and (3) suppression of adaxial stamens in Salvia and Rosmarinus. Adaxial stamens are absent from Rosmarinus, but reduced stamens remain as staminodia in Salvia. In a phylogenetic context, the late monosymmetry of Nepeta and very early monosymmetry of Rosmarinus could both be regarded as derived conditions compared with the early monosymmetry ofSalvia and Ziziphora.     

数珠珊瑚(商陆科)的花器官发生

对数珠珊瑚的花器官发生和子房的发育过程进行了观察。结果表明：(1)数珠珊瑚花被呈2／5螺旋状发生,远轴侧的1枚先发生,其次为近轴侧的1枚发生,最后侧方的2枚花被几乎同时发生,第3枚花被在靠近第1枚的位置发生,第2枚和第3枚之间有1个空隙;(2)4枚雄蕊是同时发生的;(3)心皮发生于分生组织的远轴侧,心皮原基形成后,向上向轴生长,在子房成熟前在近轴侧非正中位形成1个孔,该孔为心皮最终愈合前的残迹,到子房成熟时．因子房的生长孔被挤压缩小,在进一步的生长过程中愈合。子房由1枚心皮构成;(4)从子房发育过程的切片看,该植物的胚珠是在子房发生后不久发生的,子房上的圆孔形成时,从近轴侧的分生组织发生胚珠原基,由胚珠原基分化出珠被与珠心。     

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN CAESALPINIA (LEGUMINOSAE)

Utilizing scanning electron microscopy, we studied the early floral ontogeny of three species of Caesalpinia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae): C. cassioides, C. pulcherrima, and C. vesicaria. Interspecific differences among the three are minor at early and middle stages of floral development. Members of the calyx, corolla, first stamen whorl, and second stamen whorl appear in acropetal order, except that the carpel is present before appearance of the last three inner stamens. Sepals are formed in generally unidirectional succession, beginning with one on the abaxial side next to the subtending bracts, followed by the two lateral sepals and adaxial sepal, then lastly the other adaxial sepal. In one flower of C. vesicaria, sepals were helically initiated. In the calyx, the first-initiated sepal maintains a size advantage over the other four sepals and eventually becomes cucullate, enveloping the remaining parts of the flower. The cucullate abaxial sepal is found in the majority of species of the genus Caesalpinia. Petals, outer stamens, and inner stamens are formed unidirectionally in each whorl from the abaxial to the adaxial sides of the flower. Abaxial stamens are present before the last petals are visible as mounds on the adaxial side, so that the floral apex is engaged in initiation of different categories of floral organs at the same time.     

Two discrete cis elements control the Abaxial side-specific expression of the FILAMENTOUS FLOWER gene in Arabidopsis

Our previous studies showed that a member of the YABBY gene family, FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FIL), plays a role in specifying the abaxial side tissues in the development of lateral organs such as cotyledons, leaves, young flower buds, and flower organs. We examined the expression pattern of FIL and found a temporal change of expression domains in the developmental process of the floral meristem. We also examined the cis control regions by constructing a series of transgenic plants that carry green fluorescent protein under the control of the FIL promoter with several types of deletions, base changes, and tandem repeats and showed that the unique expression pattern is dependent on at least two cis-acting elements in the 5' regulatory region. One element proximal to the FIL gene would be responsible for the expression of both the abaxial and adaxial sides, and the other element of the 12-bp sequence would work to repress expression on the adaxial side.     

Floral ontogeny in Scirpus, Eriophorum and Dulichium (Cyperaceae), with special reference to the perianth

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, it has been suggested recently that the Cyperaceae comprises only two subfamilies: the Mapanioideae and the Cyperoideae. In most flowers of the Cyperoideae, the whorl of inner stamens is reduced, resulting in tetracyclic flowers. In the more primitive (scirpoid) genera within the Cyperoideae, the perianth consists of two polysymmetric whorls, whereas the perianth parts in the more derived genera have been subject to modifications and/or reduction. Comparative studies of the many silky hairs of Eriophorum and of the eight bristles of Dulichium have given rise to much discussion about their homology. METHODS: The spikelet and floral ontogeny in freshly collected inflorescences was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Complete floral ontogenies are presented for Scirpus sylvaticus L., Eriophorum latifolium Hoppe and Dulichium arundinaceum (L.) Britton, with special reference to the perianth. The results in S. sylvaticus confirm the trimerous monocot-like organization of the flower. It is used as a model for floral development in Cyperoideae. In the early developmental stages, the androecium of E. latifolium is surrounded by a massive perigonial primordium, from which the many hair-like bristles originate. Consequently, the stamens develop among the hair primordia, more or less simultaneously. The hairs are arranged in whorls, which develop centripetally. The development of the perianth in D. arundinaceum starts with the formation of three initial perianth primordia opposite the stamens. Subsequently, two more abaxial bristle primordia, alternating with the stamens, originate simultaneously with the appearance of three adaxial bristle primordia in the zone where an adaxial inner perianth primordium is expected. CONCLUSIONS: The floral development in E. latifolium and D. arundinaceum can be considered as variations upon the scirpoid floral ontogenetic theme.     

The development of pistillate and perfect florets in Xeranthemum squarrosum (Asteraceae)

The formation of capitulum inflorescence with two different types of floret is an interesting issue in floral biology and evolution. Here we studied the inflorescence, floral ontogeny and development of the everlasting herb, Xeranthemum squarrosum, using epi‐illumination microscopy. The small vegetative apex enlarged and produced involucral bracts with helical phyllotaxy, which subtended floret primordia in the innermost whorl. Initiation of floret primordia was followed by an acropetal sequence, except for pistillate peripheral florets. The origin of receptacular bracts was unusual, as they derived from the floral primordia rather than the receptacular surface. The order of whorl initiation in both disc and pistillate flowers included corolla, androecium and finally calyx, together with the gynoecium. The inception of sepals and stamens occurred in unidirectional order starting from the abaxial side, whereas petals incepted unidirectionally from the adaxial or abaxial side. Substantial differences were observed in flower structure and the development between pistillate and perfect florets. Pistillate florets presented a zygomorphic floral primordium, tetramerous corolla and androecium and two sepal lobes. In these florets, two sepal lobes and four stamen primordia stopped growing, and the ovary developed neither an ovule nor a typical stigma. The results suggest that peripheral pistillate florets in X. squarrosum, which has a bilabiate corolla, could be considered as an intermediate state between ancestral bilabiate florets and the derived ray florets.     

Floral development in Scutellaria pinnatifida (Lamiaceae): the ontogenetic basis for sepal reduction

The Scutellaria is a Labiatae genus (subfamily Scutellarioideae) with a highly specialised floral structure. The genus is characterised by a peculiar two‐lobed calyx with a projecting appendage, named the scutellum. Here, we present a detailed analysis of floral development, using epi‐illumination light microscopy, to clarify open questions about its floral organisation. Floral whorls appeared in an acropetal sequence, with a marked temporal overlap of petal and stamen appearance. Organ appearance in each whorl proceeded unidirectionally from the abaxial to the adaxial side. Significant developmental features included the formation of the scutellum, reduction of sepal lobes and formation of a three‐lobed nectary disc. Our study revealed that both loss of organ initiation and fusion of primordia are responsible for the reduction in sepal members in Scutellaria. The nectary structure was markedly different from most other studied Lamiaceae.     

Floral morphogenesis in Euptelea (Eupteleaceae, Ranunculales)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Based on molecular phylogenetic studies, the unigeneric family Eupteleaceae has a prominent phylogenetic position at or near the base of Ranunculales, which, in turn, appear at the base of eudicots. The aim of the present paper is to reveal developmental features of the flowers and to put the genus in a morphological context with other basal eudicots. METHODS: Flowers in all developmental stages of Euptelea pleiosperma were collected in the wild at intervals of 7-10 d in the critical stages and studied with a scanning electron microscope. KEY RESULTS: Remnants of a perianth are lacking throughout flower development. Floral symmetry changes from monosymmetric to asymmetric to disymmetric during development. Asymmetry is expressed in that the sequence of stamen initiation is from the centre to both lateral sides on the adaxial side of the flower but starting from one lateral side and proceeding to the other on the abaxial side. Despite the pronounced floral disymmetry, a dimerous pattern of floral organs was not found. The carpel primordia arise between the already large stamens and alternate with them. Stamens and carpels each form a somewhat irregular whorl. The carpels are ascidiate from the beginning. The stigma differentiates as two crests along the ventral slit of the ovary. The few lateral ovules alternate with each other. CONCLUSIONS: Although the flowers have some unusual autapomorphies (wind pollination, lack of a perianth, pronounced disymmetry of the floral base, long connective protrusion, long temporal gap between androecium and gynoecium initiation, small space for carpel initiation), they show some plesiomorphies at the level of basal eudicots (free carpels, basifixed anthers, whorled phyllotaxis), and thus fit well in Ranunculales.     

台闽苣苔（苦苣苔科）花部器官的形态发生

在扫描电镜下对台闽苣苔 (T .oldhamii (Hemsl.)Solereder)进行了花部器官形态发生的观察 ,为探索该类群的个体发育、类群间的系统发育关系和进化趋势提供依据。研究发现该属植物萼片、花冠和雄蕊发生式样均为五数花类型 ,它们各自来源于花原基上分化出来的萼片原基、花冠原基和雄蕊原基 ;花冠与雄蕊的两侧对称性与花冠上唇生长稍快和退化雄蕊原基发育迟滞相关 ;萼片原基的发生和发育的顺序是不一致的 :萼片原基发生的式样为近轴中原基—远轴 2原基— 2侧原基 ,发育式样则为近轴中萼片— 2侧萼片—远轴 2萼片 ,花蕾时为镊合状排列。花冠裂片原基的发生和发育式样是一致的 ,即远轴中裂原基 (下唇中裂片 )—远轴 2侧裂原基 (下唇 2侧裂片 )—近轴 2裂原基 (上唇 2裂片 )。花蕾期卷迭式为覆瓦状排列 ,从外向内 :下唇中裂片—下唇 2侧裂片—上唇 2裂片或下唇 2侧裂片—上唇 2裂片—下唇中裂片。雄蕊原基与花冠裂片原基互生 ,前方雄蕊原基在发生上稍迟于后方雄蕊原基 ,后者与退化雄蕊原基几乎同时发生 ,但较小 ,并与近轴心皮 (或柱头上唇 )对生。将该属与玄参科 (Scrophulari aceae)的地黄属 (Rehmannia)、苦苣苔科 (Gesneriaceae)的异叶苣苔属 (Whytockia)和尖舌苣苔属 (Rhynchoglossum)的花部器官比较发现     

PATTERNS OF FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN AGALINIS AND ALLIES (SCROPHULARIACEAE). II. FLORAL DEVELOPMENT OF AGALINIS DENSIFLORA

Initiation of floral primordia begins in Agalinis densiflora with production of two lateral adaxial calyx lobe primordia followed by a midadaxial primordium, and then primordia of two abaxial calyx lobes. Initiation of three abaxial corolla lobe primordia is succeeded by that of two stamen pairs and then by primordia of two adaxial corolla lobes. The primordium of the abaxial carpel appears before the adaxial one. Except for the calyx, initiation of primordia proceeds unidirectionally from the abaxial to the adaxial side of the floral apex. Zygomorphy in the calyx, corolla, and androecium is evident during initiation of primordia and is accentuated during organogenesis. The calyx undergoes comparatively rapid organogenesis, but the inner three floral series undergo a protracted period of organogenesis. The perianth series reach maturation prior to meiosis in the anthers. Maturation of the androecium and gynoecium are postmeiotic events.     

Original Paper Floral Organogenesis in Verbenaceae sensulato

The early floral ontogeny of three subfamilies, viz. Verbenoideae, Viticoideae and Caryopteridoideae of Verbenaceae (s.l.), was compared. Two differently initiated patterns were found. In the present species of Verbenoideae, there is a unidirectional sequence of organogenesis, from abaxial to adaxial side of the floral apex. While the abaxial paired sepal, petal and stamen arise sequentially, the adaxial paired sepal, petal and stamen do not appear or appear in a much earlier stage. The centripetal whorled sequence of organogenesis appears in Viticoideae and Caryopteridoideae, where sepal primordia arise simultaneously or successively (from adaxial to abaxial). After completion of sepal initiation a plastochron is indicated, during which time a change to the induction of petal takes place, and five petals appear simultaneously, followed by initiation of four stamens. Events of floral organogenesis support the phylogeny inferred from morphological data and rbcL sequence analysis, i.e. the subfamily Verbenoideae does not form a monophyletic group with the subfamilies Viticoideae and Caryopteridoideae.     

COMPARATIVE ONTOGENY OF THE INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER OF HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA AND LOROPETALUM CHINENSE (HAMAMELIDACEAE)

A comparative developmental study of the inflorescence and flower of Hamamelis L. (4-merous) and Loropetalum (R. Br.) Oliv. (4–5 merous) was conducted to determine how development differs in these genera and between these genera and others of the family. Emphasis was placed on determining the types of floral appendages from which the similarly positioned nectaries of Hamamelis and sterile phyllomes of Loropetalum have evolved. In Hamamelis virginiana L. and H. mollis Oliv. initiation of whorls of floral appendages occurred centripetally. Nectary primordia arose adaxial to the petals soon after the initiation of stamen primordia and before initiation of carpel primordia. In Loropetalum chinense (R. Br.) Oliv. floral appendages did not arise centripetally. Petals and stamens first arose on the adaxial portion, and then on the abaxial portion of the floral apex. The sterile floral appendages (sterile phyllomes of uncertain homology) were initiated adaxial to the petals after all other whorls of floral appendages had become well developed. In all three species, two crescent shaped carpel primordia arose opposite each other and became closely appressed at their margins. Postgenital fusion followed and a falsely bilocular, bicarpellate ovary was formed. Ovule position and development are described. The nectaries of Hamamelis and sterile phyllomes of Loropetalum rarely develop as staminodia, suggesting a staminodial origin. However, these whorls arise at markedly different times and are therefore probably not derived from the same whorl of organs in a common progenitor. This hypothesis seems probable when one considers that the seemingly least specialized genus of the tribe, Maingaya, bears whorls of both staminodia and sterile phyllomes inside its whorl of stamens.     

Inflorescence and floral ontogeny in Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae)

Inflorescence and floral ontogeny of the perennial, herbaceous crop Crocus sativus L. were studied using epi-illumination light microscopy. After production of leaves with helical arrangement a determinate inflorescence forms which becomes completely transformed into a single terminal flower. In some cases, bifurcation of the inflorescence meristem yields two or three floral meristems. The order of floral organs initiation is outer tepals – stamens – inner tepals – carpels. Stamens and outer tepals are produced from the lateral bifurcation of three common stamen-tepal primordia. Within each whorl, organs start developing unidirectionally from the adaxial side, except for the stamens which begin to grow from the abaxial side. Specialized features during organ development include interprimordial growth between tepals forming a perianth tube, fusion at the base of stamen filaments, and formation of an inferior ovary with unfused styles.     

鹅耳枥和虎榛子（桦木科）雌性生殖器官的形态发生

为了进一步理解类群之间的系统发育关系,在扫描电镜下,对桦木科植物鹅耳枥（Carpinus turczaninowii Hance)和虎榛子（Ostryopsis davidiana Decne.)的雌花序、小花序和雌花的原基形成和发育过程进行了观察。两种植物均具单性花、雌雄同株。其雌花序为复合的穗状花序,每两朵小花构成一个小聚伞花序,多个这样的小花序螺旋排列在一个总花序轴上。小花序由5枚苞片组成,1枚初级苞片,4枚次级苞片。后分别由两个半环状的共同原基发育而来。鹅耳枥的近轴面次级苞片生物缓慢,远轴面的生长较快,成熟时呈扩展的叶片状;虎榛子的近轴面和远轴面次给苞片均生长较快,成熟时靠全呈囊状。花被原基为环状,花被随着子房的发育而而逐渐长大包围子房并与之愈合。研究对前人有关小花序的苞片数目和两个二心皮子房的定位方式等方面的认识作了澄清或纠正。每个小花序的苞片数目不像Abbe观察的那么多;二心皮子房定位方式在鹅耳枥属是互成直角,而非相互平行。     

Patterns and Significance of Floral Development in Whytockia (Gesneriaceae)

Abstract: The floral development of Whytockia W. W. Smith has been studied in order to explore the developmental basis for the arrangement and differentiation patterns of floral organs, and the evolutionary relationship between Whytockia and allies in floral development. The descending imbricate aestivations in both calyx and corolla have remarkably different ontogenetic patterns between calyx and corolla which are derivative with respect to the development of the valvate aestivations in the four-stamened Rhynchoglossum. Both corolla lobes and stamens are initiated simultaneously from the same ring meristem. However, the five stamens remarkably precede the initiation of the five corolla lobes. Also, the adaxial stamen is suppressed after initiation to become a staminode, concomitant with retardation of its adjacent organs during development. This situation, together with the non-acropetal order among whorls of floral organs in Whytockia, is possibly related to a late expression and a remarkably different expression pattern of cycloidea- like genes as compared to Antirrhinum. Furthermore, the axile placentation in the bilocular ovary of Whytockia is formed by an involute closure of carpels rather than derived from a secondary fusion of two intrusive parietal placentae.     

Flower ontogeny in Capparis spinosa (Capparaceae) with special emphasis on symmetry expression

The flower ontogeny of Capparis spinosa L. was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to shed light on the early expression of symmetry in a representative member of Capparaceae. Sepals start decussately with the abaxial and adaxial sepals, followed by the lateral ones. Petal appearance proceeds uni‐directionally from the abaxial to the adaxial side. Stamens develop centrifugally on an androecial ring. Five to seven carpel lobes arise on a gynoecial ring. Monosymmetry is established in early development by the uni‐directional petal appearance and is further enhanced by the acquisition of an abaxial nectary appendage and differential development of perianth organs at anthesis. The early monosymmetric pattern found in C. spinosa differs from the early monosymmetric and early disymmetric pathways of Cleomoideae. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the late establishment of monosymmetry is a reflective of symmetry in early development.