Floral development in Melaleuca and Callistemon (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

Floral development of seven species of Melaleuca and four species of Callistemon is compared. The multistaminate fascicles of Melaleuca develop from stamen primordia initiated on antepetalous prestaminal bulges (PSBs); the resultant bundles of stamens become separated by hypanthial expansion as the flower bud enlarges. In most species of Callistemon examined the stamen primordia are initiated directly on the floral apex, and the stamens are distributed evenly around the hypanthium at anthesis. The possession of large and prominent PSBs, and thus stamen fascicles, is a feature of most species of Melaleuca and their total absence is a feature of most species of Callistemon; however, there is a..