FLORAL DEVELOPMENT OF EREMURUS ALTAICUS (LILIACEAE)

Abstract

Morphogenesis of the monocarpic shoot and fiorai development of Eremurus altaicas (Pall.) Stev. from Kazakhstan was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The lifespan of the monocarpic shoot is about 18 months. Differentiation of the inflorescence starts in June and proceeds in the acropetal direction until the end of the following February. Each flower arises in the axil of a flower bract. Differentiation of stamens and perianth lobes occurs first from common primordia, followed by the formation of the gynoecium. One of the perianth lobes develops first opposite the floral bract in whose axil the flower is located. Cultivation of the Eremurus species for winter cut flower production could be achieved by delaying flowering so that it occurs during the following winter, instead of during May/June.