In this article we will discuss about the process of reproduction and development in ephedra with the help of diagrams.
Reproduction in Ephedra:
In dioecious Ephedra, male and female cones are borne in the axils of determinate shoots. These may be solitary but most are arranged as dichasial cymes.
Male cone of E.foliata consists of a central axis and about 10 opposite and decussately arranged bracts. Each bract bears in its axil a sporangiophore, bearing at its tip 2-6 bilobed microsporangia which dehisce apically. The sporangiophore is enclosed in a pair of perianths (hyaline appendages) and grows out on maturation of sporangia.
Development in Ephedra:
Air-borne pollen are caught in ‘pollination drop’ present at the micropeflar end of ovule (Fig. 17.3G). The pollination drop is rich in sugar (25%) and amino acids which are required for in vivo as well as in vitro germination of pollen.
Entemophily is also on record in E. campylopoda The insect peruses the pollen to the prominent pollen chamber, Pc, (Fig. 17.6C) present as the tip of female gametophyte is a projection described as tent pole’, Tp, (Fig. 17.6C).
