Mechanism of Pollination in Gladiolus: Roles of the Stigma and Pollen-tube Guide

Abstract

Gladiolus has a dry type of stigma. Compatible pollen grains alight and germinate on the receptive surface of the papillae, penetrate the cuticle and grow towards the style through a sub-cuticular pollen-tube guide of mucilage. This is secreted from epidermal cells of the stylodium and style canal. The cuticle, which covers the pollen tube guide mucilage, is continuous through the style canal to the ovary. The wet stigma of Lilium also has cuticular tissue running through the style canal, covering the mucilage.