Plastid Ontogeny in the Corolla Cells of Digitalis purpurea L. cv. Foxy

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Abstract
Initially the corolla plastids of Digitalis purpurea contain small grana with negatively stained thylakoids. Degeneration of the grana, loss of chlorophyll and the transient accumulation of starch accompany corolla expansion Starch disappears by the time the anthers dehisce and granular and amorphous phytoferrtin deposits become prominent in the stroma Concomitant with the separation of the stigmatic lobes the thylakoid system is reduced to a central membranous network enveloping the phytofemtm aggregates Just prior to corolla abscission the stroma becomes packed with plastoglobuh Although this developmental sequence closely resembles that for chromoplasts in yellow and red flowers, fruits and autumn leaves there is no synthesis of carotenoid pigments in the corollas of Digitalis purpurea At maturity the plastids are therefore best described as elaioplasts.