Vascularisation de la fleur de Symplocarpus foetidus (Araceae)

Abstract

The flower of Symplocarpus foetidus is characterized by an inferior unilocular ovary containing a suborthotropous ovule in apical position. Several authors consider the gynoecium of Symplocarpus to be pseudomonomerous. Our study of the organization of the vascular bundles does not confirm this hypothesis. Furthermore, pseudomonomery has yet to be demonstrated for any of the members of the Calloideae. The flower of Symplocarpus shows many similarities with that of Gymnostachys (Pothoideae) and of Aglaonema (Philodendroideae). In Symplocarpus, we also observe four vascular bundles in the style but they are not homologous to those of Aglaonema and cannot be interpreted as belonging to two different carpels.