Female Short Shoot and Ovule Development in Ginkgo biloba L. with Emphasis on Structures Associated with Wind Pollination

Figure 1

Female cone development of G. biloba. (a) Female cone enclosed by thick bud scales during winter. ((b)–(d)) Bud scales opened gradually in late March. (e) Ovules began to appear in early April. ((f)–(h)) Ovular stalks elongated and leaves grew rapidly. (i) Leaves and ovules spirally arranged on the short shoot apex just before pollination. (j) Leaves and ovules during pollination stage (mid-April). (k) Long shoot with several female short shoots during pollination. (l) Pollination drop secreted from micropyle. (m) Ovules changed from yellow to green after pollination. (n) Ovules attached directly to general stalk. (o) Ovule with ovular stalks. bs, bud scale; gs, general stalk; le, leaf; o, ovule; os, ovular stalk; pd, pollination drop; ss, short shoot. Bars: ((a)–(f)) = 50 mm; ((i)–(k)) = 1 cm; ((l)–(m)) = 5 mm; ((n)–(o)) = 2 mm.

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