A Study on the Development of the Anther and the Male Gametophyte in Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk

For the approach to the relations between the endangered situation and their sexual reproductive processes in Cimicifuga nanchuanensis, some comparative studies were made in C.simplex , a close and widespread species. The present paper deals with the microsporogenesis and the development of its male gametophytes and the anther wall. The anther possesses four microsparangia with its wall composed of four layers: epidermis, endothecium, middle layers and a 2\|nucleate celled tapetum. Most of the antheral tapetum are in situ disintegrated. However, it is found that in about 12% of the locules, tapetual periplasmodia move into anther cavities forming so\|called amoeboid tapetum when the microspore tetrads are released. The cytokinesis of microspore mother cells and wall formation is of simultaneous type and the tetrahedral microspore tetrads are formed. The mature pollen grains are 2\|celled.