The Arabidopsis FILAMENTOUS FLOWER gene is required for flower formation

A screen for mutations affecting flower formation was carried out and sever al filamentous flower (fil) alleles were identified. In fil mutants, floral primordia occasionally give rise to pedicels lacking flowers at their ends . This defect is dramatically enhanced in fil rev double mutants, in which every floral primordium produces a flowerless pedicel, These data suggest t hat the FIL and REV genes are required for an early step of flower formatio n, possibly for the establishment of a flower-forming domain within the flo ral primordium. The FIL gene is also required for establishment of floral m eristem identity and for flower development. During flower development, the FIL gene is required for floral organ formation in terms of the correct nu mbers and positions; correct spatial activity of the AGAMOUS, APETALA3, PIS TILLATA and SUPERMAN genes; and floral organ development.