Development of pollinium in malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) kuntze

Abstract

Anther primordium of Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze initiated as a homogenous mass of meristematic cells is surrounded by protoderm. Two thecae are oriented towards the labellum, each of them consisted of a mass of archesporial cells. The hypodermal layer of sporogenous cells divide periclinally to form an endothecial, a middle layer and a tapetům. Pollen mother cells formed different types of microspore tetrads. Each microspore divides mitotically resulting a generative and a vegetative cell. Degeneration of the sterile septum resulted four naked and clavate pollinia.