A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF GYNOECIAL GROWTH IN LILIUM-LONGIFLORUM - SURFACE GROWTH-PATTERNS IN ALL FLORAL ORGANS ARE TRIPHASIC

Sequential marking experiments combined with histological and morphological examination indicate that growth of the gynoecium in Lilium longiflorum Thunb. (Easter lily) is triphasic. Phase I (gynoecia less than 10 mm in length) is characterized by spatial and temporal variation in local relative growth rate and mitotic index throughout the entire gyoecium. In Phase II (10-100 mm), a steady growth peak is restricted to the proximal 5 to 15 mm of the style, while the ovary shows uniform growth. In Phase III (100-135 mm), the ovary ceases growth and the maximal growth zone of the gynoecium migrates from the proximal to the distal end of the style. Comparison of surface growth patterns and differentiation events in the gynoecium to those previously described in the tepal and anther demonstrates the triphasic nature of growth in the whole lily flower. © 1991.