Abstract

GUEVARA O, Lorena  and  JAUREGUI, Damelis. Floral anatomy of Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae, Arecoideae). Acta Bot. Venez. [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.1, pp.35-48. ISSN 0084-5906.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a monoic species with a large one-seeded fruit that is commercialized in all tropical regions. A study of the anatomic structure of staminate and pistillate flowers was carried out in order to complement the knowledge on the reproductive biology of this species. The plant material was fixed, dehydrated, and conventional anatomical techniques were applied. Floral structure is characterized by abundant schlerenchymatous tissue and idioblasts with raphides, silica bodies and other substances; androecium with exothecium and endothecium composed by a single layer of cells; gynoecium with intercarpellary septal nectaries and three bitegumented ovules. The flowers of this palm present a group of anatomic traits that address its protection against insects or other animal feedings.

Keywords : Arecaceae; Arecoideae; coconut; Cocos nucifera; floral anatomy.