Megagametophyte development of Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. (Nymphaeaceae)

Abstract

The development of reproductive cells has been analysed in Nymphaea nouchali, family Nymphaeaceae, subclass Magnoliidae. Our observations on embryo sac development differ from those in the literature. Megasporogenesis results in a triad of one micropylar cell and two innermost megaspores. Embryo sacs derive from a single functional megaspore and are tetranucleate. Megasporogenesis is monosporic and of the Polygonum type, but mega-gametogenesis is of Oenothera type. (C) 1998 The Linnean Society of London.