A contribution to the embryology of Chlorophytum attenuatum Bak.

Abstract

The wall of the young anther is made up of four layers of cells. The tapetal cells are binucleate and are of the glandular type. A stomium is organised at the line of dehiscence. The microspores are arranged in an isobilateral manner. The mature pollen grain is two-celled. Septal nectaries are present on the ovary wall. The ovules are anatropous and bitegmic, and the micropyle is formed by the inner integument. A conducting strand consisting of a biseriate row of cells is seen at the chalazal end of the ovule and this connects the base of the embryo sac with the funicular strand. The development of the embryo sac follows the Polygonum type. Double fertilisation is observed. The endosperm is Helobial and its cells are full of starch. The mature embryo is monocotyledonous. Only epidermal layer of the outer integument persists in the mature seed.