Microsporogenesis in a Parthenogenetic Species, Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae)

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Abstract
Microsporogenesis in the parthenogenetic species Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) was studied microscopically. Cytokinesis failure after meiosis results in the formation of coenocytic microspores that show a wide range of variation in shape and size. Although tapetal cells do not show any demonstrable abnormalities, the microspores degenerate at the vacuolate microspore stage some time after dissolution of the callose. At the last stage of microsporogenesis, ghosts of the coenocytic microsphores, which consist of only ektexine, remain in the loculus. The species is completely, or nearly completely, male-sterile.