Abstract:The transverse section of the pedicel of Hedychium coronarium Koen. is oval, including epidermis, the ground tissue and vascular bundles. The periphery vascular bundles surround the inner vascular bundles at the central zone of the pedicel. The inner vascular bundles give rise to 3 carpellary dorsal bundles (CDs) and 3 parietal bundles (PBs) below the locular region. The three CDs are radialized, alternating with the three PBs. In the locular region, the major branches of the three CDs supply 3 sepal midribs, and the small branches extend into the median region of labellum and 2 subulate appendages, accompanied by the portion of the inner bundles. Two abaxial diaphragms form 2 epigynous glands, respectively. The three PBs give rise to 3 strands, respectively. In the abaxial PBs, the outer strands supply abaxial petal midribs and the remaining strands enter into the laterals of labellum. In the baxial PB, the outer strand supplies an abaxial petal midrib, and the lateral strands move into functional stamens. The origins of the subulate appendages and the labellum are discussed. The hypothesis that two epigynous glands are special vascularized upward growths from the intramarginal portions of carpels is supported.
