EMBRYOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LACHNANTHES CAROLINIANA (HAEMODORACEAE)

Embryological development of Lachnanthes caroliniana was studied utilizing standard anatomical techniques and SEM. Lachnanthes has a monocotyledonous anther wall development (endothecial cells with spiral secondary wall thickenings), successive microsporogenesis, and amoeboid (periplasmodial) tapetal development. Mature pollen grains are 2-nucleate with a proximal, fusiform generative cell. Ovules are initiated as 5–7 cylindrical primordia from a common placental base. Basal ovular swellings collectively contribute to the enlarged, peltate placenta. Mature ovules are pleurotropous, anatropous, bitegmic, and crassinucellate; the nucellus consists of a chalazal hypostase, radially elongate lateral cells, and a prominent micropylar nucellar cap. Megasporogenesis is successive, forming a linear tetrad of megaspores. Megagametogenesis is monosporic; the female gametophyte is of the Polygonum-type with relatively large, pyriform antipodals. Endosperm formation is helobial, resulting in the establishment of a ring of four thick-walled basal endosperm cells (the chalazal chamber) and numerous free nuclei (in the micropylar chamber). The mature cellular endosperm is filled with starch grains and has a chalazal cavity and a thick-walled peripheral layer. The discoid, peltately attached seeds have marginal wings derived by anticlinal divisions and buckling of the outer integument alone. Inner and middle cuticular layers are present in the seed coat. Lachnanthes is similar to all other investigated members of the Haemodoraceae in major embryological features. The significance of embryological evidence with regard to interfamilial classification is discussed. Future studies of ovule and seed development may prove valuable in phylogenetic studies in assessing the homology of placental, ovule, and seed morphology and anatomy.