Studies in the Capparidaceae. II. Floral anatomy and some structural features of the Capparidaceous flower

Abstract

The paper deals with the floral structure of several genera and species of the Capparidaceae. The findings may be summarized as follows:- The prevalence of andromonoecism is recorded in Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC. The occurrence of what look like tricarpellary and tetracarpellary gynoecia in the species is explained and interpreted on the bicarpellary basis. The median sepals are found to be the lowest floral members; thus they occupy the position which would be expected had bracteoles been present; this view is supported by the actual occurrence of bracteoles in Euadenia eminens Hook. fil. and Capparis flexuosa Blume, and the belief that the Capparidaceae are bracteoleless is not accepted. The vasculation of the members of the different floral whorls in all stages of development has been traced. The ontogeny of the gynoecium shows that it is formed by the marginal fusion of two inrolled carpellary leaves. The foliar concept of the carpels is supported by anatomical evidence, the vasculation of the carpels being essentially that of a lateral organ, leaf or leaf-like appendage. The polymorphic carpel theory is discussed in the light of the present findings, and the conclusion is reached that it is not applicable to the Capparidaceae.