Abstract:In order to understand the morphological characteristics of flowers of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), the flowers of two cultivars ‘Gardenblue’ and ‘Sharpblue’ were observed using Zeiss SV11 stereomicroscope and JSM-6360LV scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the filaments are flattened and pilose. The glandular trichome of ‘Gardenblue’ filament is short and the epidermal cells in the base of filaments are nearly rectangle. The glandular trichomes on the surface of ‘Sharpblue’ filaments are more slender and denser, and the epidermal cells in base of filament are nearly prismatic. Four virgate anthers arrange symmetrically, with the connectivum clearly visible between two anthers at the same side. The epidermal cells of anthers are papillate. Two tubulars are located on the top of mature anthers dehiscingby pores. The stigmas are flattened, belonging to wet type stigmas. The pollen is in tetrads and grains are with rugulate ornamentation and several hollows, tetrahedral shape and middle size. The aperture gaps have differences among pollen grains in length, width, length and shape of lid, and extent of protuberances. The surface of ‘Gardenblue’ stigma has papillate cells. The epidermal cells of styles are cylindrical, fasciculate and detached. Striated papillate cells exist on the surface of ‘Sharpblue’ stigma, and the epidermal cells of styles are cylindrical, with its long axis parallel to style. These would provide a botanical basis for further study on classification and phylogenetic evolution of Vaccinium spp.
