Ecology of flowers and morphology of pollen grains of selected Narcissus varieties (Narcissus pseudonarcissus x Narcissus poëticus)

Abstract

The investigations carried out in the years 2004-2005 covered five varieties of Narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. x Narcissus poëticus L.): 'Fire Bird', 'Hardy', 'Ivory Yellow', 'Pomona' and 'The Sun'. Longevity of a flower and the flowering period of the studied Narcissus varieties determined, flower elements were compared, as well as the anatomic structure of ovary and nectary and the morphology of pollen grains. Pollen grains of 'Hardy' and 'The Sun' var. were observed in a scanning electron microscope. The flowering period of 'The Sun' plants appeared to be the longest, while the shortest in the case of 'Fire Bird' and 'Ivory Yellow'. Each perianth of the studied taxons was characterized by a different corolla appendage, from slightly corrugated ('Pomona') to greatly curled, with the notches getting inside and giving impression of a few whort in this part of the perianth ('Ivory Yellow', 'Hardy'). Monosulcate pollen grains with regards to 9 size was numbered among medium ('Pomona', 'The Sun') and large ('Fire Bird', 'Hardy', 'Ivory Yellow'). Their shape was assumed as circular elongated (prolato-spheroides) in polar view and flattened (oblatum) and slightly flat (suboboblatum) in equatorial view. The highest pollen vitality was shown by 'Hardy' variety (92%), whereas for 'The Sun' it proved to be the lowest (22%). In the narcissus flowers, septal nectaries are situated in the upper part of the ovary.

Keywords

• Narcissus
• variety
• flower structure
• pollen grains
• ovary
• nectary
• SEM