Fig. 11

Reconstruction of vascular bundle patterns in a mature flower of P. pulcherrima based on μCT scanning. Figures a–i shown in sequence from base to apex. a. Section through the base of the ovary, showing six vascular bundles indicated in purple; b. base of the receptacle, also showing the vascular bundles in the base of the mentum (Me) derived from the lateral sepals indicated in green, lateral petals indicated in red and staminode a3 indicated in yellow; c. position where the labellum connects to the receptacle, showing the vascular bundles that are feeding the fertile stamen (Fs/A1) and stelidia (St/A2-A3) indicated in yellow, and two red vascular bundles feeding the lateral petals (Lp) and labellum (L); d. further development of fertile stamen (Fs) and staminodal (Sm/a3) vascular bundles; e–f. position where dorsal sepal (Ds), lateral petals (Lp) and labellum (L) are merging with the receptacle. g. Position where the first vascular bundles that feed the stelidia (St/A2-a2 and St/A3) become visible in the gynostemium; h. transversal section through the gynostemium showing the vascular bundles running towards the dorsal sepal (Ds), fertile stamen (Fs), and the stelidia (St/A2-a2 and St/A3-a1); i. section through the labellum showing that the callus is supported by the vascular bundle running towards staminode a3 (Sm/a3). Ds dorsal sepal, Ls lateral sepal, Lp lateral petal, L labellum, Me mentum, Ca callus, Fs fertile stamen, Ss sterile stamen, St stelidia, A1–A3 staminodes in outer floral whorl, a1–a3 staminodes in inner floral whorl. Color codes: green = vascular bundles in sepals; red = vascular bundles in labellum and petals; yellow = vascular bundles in androecium; purple = vascular bundles in gynoecium. Scale bars: a = 0.5 mm; b–i = 100 μm