XVI International Botanical Congess

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam shows an elaborated pattern of floral development. Flowers are 3-3.5 cm long at anthesis, and have a nectariferous floral tube usually with 10-12 calyx-lobes, 10-12 petals and 20-24 stamens between the calyx-lobes, and a pistil. Early in development, both lateral margins of the basal part of each petal porimordium develop inward so as to enfold two stamen primordia on the adaxial side. In developing flowers, filaments of stamens are strongly appressed against inside of the folded petals. The folded petals individually open probably in response to the touch of insects.The filaments come off with a snap from the petal and move toward the style to disperse pollen. Two stamens in each folded petal are different in length, probably functioning for wide-range pollen dispersal.