The transmitting tract in Trimezia fosteriana (Iridaceae). III. Pollen tube growth in the stigma, style and ovary

Abstract

Trimezia fosteriana is a self‐incompatible plant with an open style. The stigma was found to be receptive for approx. three hours. Pollen tube growth in the entire transmitting tract was followed with LM, SEM and TEM. The cuticle that covers the mature papillae is continuous but in the rest of the transmitting tissue it is thin and ruptured. The pollen tubes grow in a mucilage mixed with cuticle remnants. In the style, however, larger parts of a cuticle film remains which gives the impression that pollen tube growth occurs under a cuticle. The secretion contains proteins and carbohydrates including pectic substances. The pollen tube growth rates were estimated to 2 mm/hour in the stigma, 1–2 mm/hour in the style and 0.5 mm/hour in the ovary.

Floral anatomy and systematics of Alliaceae with particular reference to Gilliesia, a presumed insect mimic with strongly zygomorphic flowers

“…7A-E), including Gilliesia and Gethyum, though occasionally the style is solid for most of its length and partially hollow distally, near the stigma. 7F, and all other Themidaceae), pollen tubes grow along a layer of mucilage lining a central tripartite canal (or sometimes three separate canals) (e.g., Bystedt and Vennigerholz, 1991). 7E).…”

“…In hollow styles (e.g., in Triteleia: Fig. 7F, and all other Themidaceae), pollen tubes grow along a layer of mucilage lining a central tripartite canal (or sometimes three separate canals) (e.g., Bystedt and Vennigerholz, 1991).…”