The mechanics of the grass flower: Anther dehiscence and pollen shedding in maize

In this paper on the flower mechanics of the grasses, the opening mechanism of the maize anther is studied. Both the septum between each two locules and the stomium of these porate-dehiscing anthers appear to be opened due to lysis of the middle lamellae of their cells. Additional mechanical force of the expanding pollen might be necessary to completely dissociate the parenchyma cells of the septum. A number of hours before anthesis the anther is structurally able to dehisce. At anthesis the dehydrating endothecium cells bend the locule walls bordering the pore in outward direction. Presumably evaporation is not the only cause for this dehydration. (C) 1996 Annals of Botany Company