Reproductive Development of the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger L.): The Role of Plant Hormones

摘要

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.), a native perennial of southeastern Europe, is characterizedby an interesting phenomenon in the world of flowering plants: after fertilization perianth becomes green,photosyntheticaly active, and persists during fruit development. Removal of the reproductive organs (anthersand carpels) affects the elongation and vascular anatomy of flower stalk, prevents complete perianthgreening, and promotes perianth senescence. Endogenous plant hormones auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins,identified and quantified in floral and fruit tissues, are shown to regulate reproductive development.Dynamics of these signaling molecules are summarized and their potential role in coordination of floralorgan development are discussed.(doi: 10.5562/cca1820)