A DEVELOPMENTAL VARIANT OF INDENTATION IN THE SCALES OF FEMALE CONES OF CUPRESSUS-SEMPERVIRENS L

A developmental variant, in which the contact zone between female cone scales is ectopically expressed in many female cones of Cupressus sem pervirens, is common in trees growing in Israel. There are two phenoty pes: type A with grooves emerging From the contact zone between two sc ales, and type B with a blind groove in the inner area of a scale. Som e scales show a combination of both. These structures are formed const antly, but in different proportions in individual cones, trees and pop ulations. Within the cone, more ectopic indentations are found in the basal scales. The female cones of other members of the Cupressaceae ex amined, namely Cupressus macrocarpa, C. arizonica and Thuja orientalis , did not have ectopic indentations. (C)1996 The Linnean Society of Lo ndon