DEVELOPMENT AND SENESCENCE OF SANDERSONIA-AURANTIACA (HOOK) FLOWERS

Twelve stages in the development of Sandersonia aurantiaca flowers hav e been characterized. The early growth stages were identified by flowe r size, shape and colour, and the subsequent senescence stages by a re duction of fresh weight and soluble protein, loss of pigment, wilting and necrosis of the tepals. The development of attached flowers was un affected by the position of the flower on the stem. Detached flowers s enesced in a similar manner to attached flowers, provided they were de tached after they had reached physiological maturity (Stage V). The ad dition of sucrose to vase solutions enhanced the development of young flower buds and delayed senescence in mature flowers.