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Image Title: Longitudinal Sections of Two Ovules of the Orchid, Epipactis helleborina
Image Credit: Margit Fredrikson, University of Göteborg
AJB Editor: Nels R. Lersten, Iowa State University
Intended End User: Teacher, Student
License Details: BSA - Terms for Image Use
Copyright held by: Margit Fredrikson, BSA
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About the Image

Longitudinal sections of two ovules of the orchid, Epipactis helleborina, photograhped from an image on the confocal laser scanning microscope and artificially colorized.
Article Title: The Development of the Female Gametophyte of Epipactis (Orchidaceae) and its Inference for Reproductive Ecology
Abstract: The development of the female gametophytes of Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, and E. palustris have been investigated using confocal scanning laser microscopy. These species have T-tetrads and eight-nucleate female gametophytes in common. The development of the female gametophyte is monosporic in accordance with the Polygonum type. Furthermore, the outer integument grows slowly and reaches to the middle of the inner integument, when the female gametophyte is mature. In the first two species, T-tetrads develop prior to anthesis, which may be correlated with autogamy. The development of the female gametophyte of E. palustris appears to be similar in plants from different localities.

Link to the AJB Abstract for the article:

The development of the female gametophyte of Epipactis (Orchidaceae) and its interference for reproductive ecology

National Science Foundation  Development Supported by the National Science Foundation