February 1976
Reproduced here with the
permission of the author
The floral anatomy of Victoria Schomb.
(Nymphaeaceae)*
E. L. SCHNEIDER
Department of Biology, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos,
Texas 78666, U.S.A.
Accepted for publication November 1975
The vasculature and
development of the flower of Victoria Schomb. are described. The
vasculature is basically similar to that found in other genera of the
Nymphaeaceae sensu stricto (e.g. Nymphaea L. and
Nuphar Sm.). The
early development of the flower is similar to that of a hypogenous flower, but
meristematic activity shifts from the apex to the periphery in the form of an
intercalary ring meristem. The innermost appendicular organs, including the
gynoecium, arise by differentiation of tissues formed by this intercalary ring
meristem. Evidence is assembled from the mature vasculature and developmental
studies: (a) to refute Troll's interpretation that receptacular strips of
tissue occur between the carpels and that the outer ovary wall is totally
receptacular; (b) to propose that the occurrence of epeltate carpels in Victoria,
as correctly described by Troll, has been phylogenetically 'read' in the wrong
direction; (c) to propose that the flower of Victoria has evolved by (1)
the adnation and connation of the proximal portions of the appendicular organs
which now envelop the syncarpous gynoecium and (2) the concomitant condensation
from a primitive ranalian floral apex.
CONTENTS
Observations
Anatomy of the peduncle and receptacle 2
Vascular
supply to the dorsal carpellary regions and the appendicular organs 3
The ventral carpellary bundle system and the residual stele 3
Various aspects of organogenesis and
histogenesis 4
Discussion
The
origin of the flower‑The 'primitive' angiosperms, 5
Familial status of the Nymphaeaceae 6
*Morphological studies of the
Nymphaeaceae, VIII. For previous titles in this series, see
"References" under Moseley, M. F.
This investigation represents
a portion of a thesis presented to the Graduate Division of the University of
California, Santa Barbara, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Doctor of Philosophy degree.
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6 References Figures
and Plates
Victoria Floral Anatomy
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