Developmental differences between hermaphrodite and female-like flowers in a non-model horticultural plant <i>Dianthus hybrida</i>

The popular ornamental flowering plant Dianthus hybrida cv. Telstar Scarlet has been found to exhibit two populations, each with distinct flower morphology: female-like and hermaphroditic. In this work, development of D. was characterized through scanning electron microscopy, light- or stereo- from meristem formation the fully matured, open flower. difference between hermaphrodite plants initially marked by phenomenon anther shrinking in latter, which closely associated pollen phenomenon, soon followed differential elongation rates pistils stamens. Furthermore, anther, albeit exhibiting delay initially, could produce microspores, resembling its counterparts at some point, before shrinking. However, female-like’s cell wall size never became as large hermaphrodite’s.