Microsporogenesis and anther development in Bromeliaceae

Abstract

Bromeliaceae possess several features of pollen and anther wall development that are plesiomorphic for Poales, consistent with their putatively basal or near‐basal placement in this order. For example, successive microsporogenesis and the monocotyledonous type of anther wall formation are both plesiomorphic features that occur commonly in other Poales, with a few notable exceptions, notably the simultaneous type of microsporogenesis in Rapateaceae. The intermediate type of tapetum development in Bromeliaceae was probably derived secondarily from a secretory type, which occurs in most other Poales except Typhaceae.