Gynaecium ontogenesis of Vitis vinifera L. var. Chardonnay is followed up stage by stage. It is divided into twenty stages from initial meristem at the top of pedicel till just after the fruit is set. Each stage is morphologically and cytologically investigated. Special features of the female gametophyte are made conspicuous. In the ovary, the origin of fruit septum, the pathway of pollen tubes in the style and in the septum are revealed. A close connection between the presence of vacuolar tannins in gynaecium and especially in ovule and the ovule vitality is reported. The absence of vacuolar tannins is a symptom of illness and premature breakdown of the ovules before their transformation into pips. The whole ontogenesis is summed up in a very full table.
