Anatomy of staminate flower ontogeny of the pecan as determined by scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

A new method of investigation for hard winter buds of the pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch] was developed and used successfully. The development of pecan catkins under summer rainfall conditions at Roodeplaat followed the grouping of cultivars according to their catkin length and not according to dichogamy as in the U.S.A. and Natal. A timetable for the developmental phases of the staminate inflorescence in group I and group II pecan cultivars is presented, and seven different phases of catkin differentiation are described.