Embryological studies in Taraxacum udum Jordan (sect. Palustria)

Abstract

The present paper reports our observations on the mode of reproduction in Taraxacum udum (sect. Palustria), a very rare species in Poland, known only from a single locality. Based on the analysis of the developmental processes in the ovules, it can be concluded that this bog dandelion is an obligate and autonomous apomict. Its reproduction involves (i) restitutional diplospory, also known as Taraxacum type; (ii) parthenogenesis; and (iii) autonomous endosperm formation. Moreover, observations on the anatomy of ovules confirmed the occurrence of a special storage tissue around the embryo sac, which is considered to be an additional source of nutrition for the embryo. An examination of the anthers showed that, in spite of highly disturbed meiosis, apomictic T. udum produces pollen but pollen grains are heterogeneous in size and stainable using an acetocarmine test.