Abstract
In the genus Asparagus, phylloclades develop at axillary position of scale leaves. Phylloclades are leaf-like in shape and have a role to photosynthesize. Additionally, the morphology is diverse. Thus, phylloclades in the genus Asparagus are an interesting and unique model to study diversification of shoot morphology with evolutionary developmental approaches. However, nothing has been revealed on phylloclade development and its molecular genetic mechanisms.
To date, we have shown developmental processes and examined expression patterns of some genes involved in leaf and shoot development during development of phylloclade. The inner structure of phylloclade differed from that of stems and leaves, and orthologs involved in leaf development were expressed in phylloclade of A. asparagoides. Moreover, we are now studying how morphological diversity of phylloclades is generated using rod-like phylloclade of A. offisinalis. Based on these results, we will discuss the evolutional contexts of phylloclade in the genus Asparagus.
