Anatomical Analysis of Inflorescence Development in Eustoma Grandiflorum

Abstract

Inflorescence refers to the spatial and temporal patterns of flowers and analysis of the branching pattern would facilitate understanding of the entire structure of inflorescence. To gain an insight into the inflorescence architecture of Eustoma, the popularity of which has soared worldwide, we conducted a detailed characterization of inflorescence development. In particular, we focused on identifying meristem types and describing their development, both of which may affect the inflorescence structure. During reproductive development, the shoot apical meristem usually splits into two meristems, either or both of which can become inflorescence meristems and capable of producing a floral meristem. However, the inflorescence meristems ultimately abort flower production. Meanwhile, axillary meristems sometimes grow and convert into inflorescence meristems, leading to differentiation of floral meristems. Hence, different types of inflorescence result from different types of meristem, and changes in meristem activity. We elucidated the factors influencing inflorescence structure and classified them into eight groups.