APICAL MERISTEMS OF VEGETATIVE SHOOTS AND STROBILI IN CERTAIN GYMNOSPERMS

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Abstract
There are conflicting descriptions of changes that occur in the structure of an apical meristem in angiosperms during the transition to flowering. They are (1) that a "reproductive" apex is the result of a gradual change in zonation pattern which involves the entire apical meristem and (2) that the reproductive apex arises from a "reserved" portion of an apex which previously had no function during vegetative growth. A developmental study of vegetative and reproduction apices of certain gymnosperms, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris. and Ginkgo biloba. reveals no basic difference in structure between the 2 categories of apical meristems. The size of the central zone may vary in vegetative and reproductive apices of the same species, but it is always present and in the same relationship to adjacent zones. A more extensive study is being undertaken currently to determine the general applicability of these findings throughout the gymnosperms.

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