Vascular floral anatomy of the east asianHeloniopsis orientalis (Thunb.) C. Tanaka (Liliaceae-Helonieae)

Observations on the vascular floral anatomy, carpel morphology and floral biology ofHeloniopsis orientalis are presented. The lower flowering pedicel has six large bundles which lack an enclosing sclerenchymatous sheath. At mid-pedicel, branch bundles originate via radial divisions from each of these bundles. Subsequently, there is a vascular ring of 12 bundles below the receptacle. The six smaller bundles which are derived from alternate pedicel bundles eventually establish all of the ventral gynoecium supply. The six larger bundles supply the tepals, stamens and dorsal gynoecial vasculature. The simple dorsals do not branch or fuse in their vertical ascent. The ventral and placental supplies are far more complex. Fusion occurs between paired sets of the six smaller pedicel bundles along the septal radii and results in a submarginal laminal ventral network. An independent ventral plexus is formed in each septum and from each plexus two septal axials, of which the innermost has a reversed xylem-phloem disposition, and four placental bundles are derived. Two placental bundles are associated with each septal axial. Basally the septa are fused centrally, but are freed at mid-gymoecial height. The broadly tri-lobed, tri-carpellate gynoecium is depressed terminally where the erect, hollow style with its capitate stigma is attached. Dorsal grooves are present: the fruit is loculicidally dehiscent. There are no septal glands due to complete lateral fusion of the septal wings. Basally each of the six equal tepals has a saccate nectary. The similarity in vascular anatomy and carpel morphology of the AsianHeloniopsis and eastern North American endemic,Helonias bullata, justifies their position in the same tribe. Research and publication supported in part by the M. Graham Netting Research Fund through a grant from the Cordelia Scaife May Charitable Trust, the U. S.—Japan Cooperative Science Program Grant GF-41367, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and Grant-in-Aid No. 934053 from the Ministry of Education, Japan.