New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Phenology of inflorescence development in pohutukawa (Metrosideros
excelsa, Myrtaceae)
GABRIELE SCHMIDT-ADAM
KEVIN S. GOULD
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract The development of compound inflorescences in
Metrosideros excelsa over a 10-week period is described. We identify six
developmental key stages from dormancy to bud break according to morphological
characteristics and present a time course of inflorescence development.
Vegetative and compound inflorescence buds are initially morphologically
identical, with several bud scales and a spheroidal shape (stage I). Allometric
changes result in ellipsoidal buds for approximately eight days (stage II).
Deciduous bracts subtending the secondary inflorescence axes partly cover
cymose inflorescence buds at stage III. These bracts abscise by stage IV. A
pair of bracts and two pairs of bracteoles, subtending lateral flower buds in
each cymose inflorescence, become visible at stage V. After all bracts and
bracteoles have abscised, individual flower buds appear clearly separated and
petals become visible (stage VI).
Keywords allometry; development; flower; cymose
inflorescence; compound inflorescence; Metrosideros excelsa;
pohutukawa
B99043
Received 12 August 1999; accepted 8 November 1999
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (677K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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