Antherode

• Title

  Antherode

• Definition

  The anther of a staminode; an anther that bears pollen that does not germinate; in the Lecythidaceae, antherodes are found in the androecial hood and in the innermost row of anthers on the ligular side of the staminal ring of some species, in the Lecythidaceae antherodes are often different in color, usually yellow, than the anthers of the stamens which are usually white.

• Notes

  In neotropical Lecythidaceae, the anthers contain fertile pollen. The anthers originally start out with four anther sacs (two on each side of the anther) but these coalesce into one on each side. Species of Gustavia have poricidal anther dehiscence whereas most other species have lateral anther dehiscence. In addition, the length of the anthers is much longer in species of Gustavia.

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