Naslov
Developmental studies in the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.)

Autori
Salopek-Sondi, Branka ; Magnus, Volker

Izvornik
International journal of plant developmental biology (1749-4753) 1 (2007), 1; 151-159

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Cytokinin; gibberellin; flower morphogenesis; perianth greening; photosynthesis; plant growth regulator; plastid metamorphosis; source-sink relationship

Sažetak
The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.) is a herbaceous, winter-green, perennial native to Southern Europe, which is also widely grown as an ornamental. In mild winters, the flowers may indeed appear at Christmas time, resembling wild roses with respect to size and color (white to pink). Reproductive development in the Christmas rose is characterized by an interesting aspect, uncommon in the world of flowering plants: after pollination and fertilization, the perianth develops a photosynthetic apparatus, and persists during fruit development. Unpollinated or depistillated flowers survive almost as long as their fruit-bearing neighbors, but do not pass through the complete greening process. Removal of the gynoecium also affects the shape of the flower and the length of the flower scape. The correlative signals which normally trigger and maintain these morphogenetic processes appear to include plant hormones synthesized in the developing fruit. Because of the size of its flowers, their long lifespan, and the changes induced by fruit development and maturation, the Christmas rose could become a useful research model for disentangling some of the complex interactions between developing seeds and the mother plant.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

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