Flower structure and anther and pollen development in Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae)

Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) belongs to Simaroubaceae. It is a dioecious plant and its flowers are unisexual, but there are unfertile reproductive organs of opposite sex rudimentarily. In this study, the structure of flower and pollen grain and anther development especially in staminate flowers were studied using light and scanning electron microscopes. Results showed that each staminate flower contained 10 functional stamens and 5 sterile carpels without ovule and embryo sac. Pistillate flowers produce a gynocium with 3-5 carpels (mostly 5 carpels) and 10 abortive stamens without pollen sacs and pollen grains. The anther wall in staminate flowers is composed of epidermis, endothecium, 2-3 middle layers and glandular tapetum. Tapetal layer is multinucleate and elongate. The cytokinesis following meiosis is simultaneous, producing tetrahedral and rhomb- shaped tetrads. Under SEM, pollen grains seems prolate, elliptic, isopolar and tricolporate. Exine sculpture is straite- reticulate.