Unusual cytological patterns in microsporogenesis in a cultivar of Fuchsia

Summary Multiple and multipolar spindles are a generalized feature of microsporogenesis in a cultivar of Fuchsia. Only the first meiotic division occurs and gives rise to sporads with nine microspores. Variation in chromosomal complements of the microspores is illustrated by pollen polymorphism. Since some of these pollen grains are able to germinate, the possible breeding value of this super-reductional type of division is questionable. Hypotheses concerning this phenomenon found in the literature are discussed in the light of our results.