Parthenogenesis vs. cleistogamy

>Several types of flowers can produce fruit without fertilization. Examples are
>bananas,fuchsias, etc. Fuchsias will produce fruit when stressed as well as
>lantana which will set excess fruit under cooler fall conditions.
>
>Al Krismer

>Certain plants do this on a regular basis, such as (at some of) the Violas.
>This is called cleistogamy (literally, "hidden sex").  It refers to
>pollenation that occurs within an unexpanded flower.
>
>Don Martinson


These are actually 2 different processes.  Cleistogamy refers to
fertilization which occurs in an unopened flower.  Parthenogenesis refers
to the development of the fruit/seed WITHOUT fertilization.
I believe that parthenogenesis may more likely be the result of stress.

I'm not sure which, if either, of these 2 events might explain the "seed
without flower" observed in the lobelia, but either of these 2 terms are
great for throwing out at the next boring party or the next time you play
Scrabble.

Don Martinson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
d*@post.its.mcw.edu

"Existing order thrives upon ignorance and lies.
Objective truth and individual reason are feared above all."



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