Microsporogenesis and development of male gametophyte in Hymenocallis littoralis (Jacq.) Rome

The microsporogenesis and development of male gametophyte in Hymenocallis littoralis(Jacq.)Rome were reported.The results showed that there were four microsparangia in the anther whose wall was composed of epidermis,endothecium,1-2 middle layers and a glandular tapetum.The cytokinesis of microsporpcyte meiotic division was of successive type and the arrangment of microspore in a tetrads is symmetrical and tetrahedral.The mature pollen grains were 3-celled and spherical.There was abortive phenomenon during the microsporogenesis and development of male gametophyte,with empty pollen grains.The main reason for the abortive pollen grains was the postponement of tapetum's disintegration and degeneration,which affected the supply of nutrition for microspore growth in time.The callose wall of microspore mother cells was easily ruptured.