The pollination mechanism in yellow cypress (Chamaecyparisnootkatensis)

Abstract

Mature, dry, one-celled pollen was formed before pollen cones became dormant in the fall. Pollen averaged 27 μm in diameter, was irregular in shape, nonsaccate, and the surface was reticulate to tegillate-baculate and irregularly covered with orbicules. The pollen contained several large lipid droplets and no starch. No changes occurred in pollen during dormancy and pollen was shed at the one- or two-celled stage during the last half of March.All ovules were initiated and became flask shaped before seed-cone dormancy. No changes occurred in ovules during dormancy. Seed cones ended dormancy in early March, enlarged and opened, exposing the ovules. A pollination drop was produced by a breakdown of cells at the tip of the nucellus. A large pollination drop was exuded from each ovule in a cone but exudation did not occur at the same time in all ovules. Each ovule exuded and withdrew a pollination drop two to four times before the pollination drop was permanently withdrawn. Each ovule was receptive for a few days and each cone was receptive for about 1 week. The pollination drops were withdrawn in the presence or absence of pollen but were withdrawn more rapidly after pollen entered the pollination drop. The cuticular surface of the bract-scales prevented wetting of the surface and caused the beading of water droplets, which in turn could carry pollen to the micropyle. Pollen grains entering a pollination drop were withdrawn inside the drop into the micropyle. Cells lining the micropylar canal enlarged and sealed the canal while bract-scales enlarged and buried the ovules within the cone.