Organogénèse de la fleur de Symplocarpus foetidus (Araceae)

Abstract

The flowering cycle of Symplocarpus foetidus in volves 2 years. During the 1st year, the different flower parts are formed. The spadix, spherical at the beginning, elongates gradually to an ovoid–cylindrical shape. The flower primordia take a quadrangular shape when the four perianth parts and stamens are beginning to differentiate. In the first stages of its growth, the developing ovary is in a superior position. At the end of its growth, as a result of the type of development of the flower of Symplocarpus, it becomes completely inferior. Generally, at the end of the 1st year of the flowering cycle, the gynoecium consists of a small protuberance at the top of the unilocular ovarian cavity. During the 2nd year, the ovary closes and penetrates into the axis, the style forms, and the unique suborthotropic ovule develops. Our study of the flower's organogenesis shows that the inferior position of the ovary does not result from an invagination of the aerenchyma of the inflorescence axis although the ovary is completely enclosed in the axis of the inflorescence at maturity. The analysis of serial sections shows that the tissue of the flower originates from an organogenic zone distinct from the aerenchyma of the inflorescence axis. Symplocarpus is the only Araceae to possess an inferior ovary. The authors consider this genus to be an advanced genus in this family.