Alexis N. Schoenkekase
Project Topic / Abstract:
"Comparative Pollen morphology in the giant water lily (Victoria, Nymphaeaceae)"
The giant water lily Victoria is native to South America and
includes two species, Victoria amazonica and Victoria
cruziana. Both species are grown in cultivation in the
United States, and these have been variously crossed to
produce several hybrids. For example, the `Longwood' hybrid
was generated by crossing V. amazonica as the pod (ovule)
parent and V. cruziana as the pollen parent. The `Adventure'
hybrid is the result of the reciprocal cross. Pollen grains
of Victoria are interesting because they are held together
in permanent tetrads. However, little is known about pollen
variation within the genus. The objective of this research
was to use electron microscopy to study mature pollen
morphology of both species of Victoria and three hybrids,
including `Longwood,' `Adventure,' and `Atlantis.' The
following characters were documented and compared: tetrad
size and shape, pollen grain size, aperture size and type,
surface ornamentation, wall infrastructure, and wall
thickness.
Presentations:
2002 Truman Undergraduate Research Conference (Kirksville, MO)
2002 Truman Student Research Conference
Abstract
|
