THE MECHANICS OF THE GRASS FLOWER - ANTHER DEHISCENCE AND POLLEN SHEDDING IN MAIZE

In this paper on the flower mechanics of the grasses, the opening mech anism of the maize anther is studied. Both the septum between each two locules and the stomium of these porate-dehiscing anthers appear to b e opened due to lysis of the middle lamellae of their cells. Additiona l mechanical force of the expanding pollen might be necessary to compl etely dissociate the parenchyma cells of the septum. A number of hours before anthesis the anther is structurally able to dehisce. At anthes is the dehydrating endothecium cells bend the locule walls bordering t he pore in outward direction. Presumably evaporation is not the only c ause for this dehydration. (C) 1996 Annals of Botany Company