Rostellum in orchids
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/lank.v24i3.63156Keywords:
emasculation, ethylene, floral senescence, gynostemium, pollinia, pollination, viscidiumAbstract
The rostellum, a small structure located above the stigma in the gynostemium of monandrous orchid flowers, separates the pollinia from the stigma, can prevent self-pollination, and plays an important role in pol- lination. It secretes a sticky exudate before and after anthesis, to which the pollinia are attached. Additionally,the viscidium, a sticky disk at the base of the stipe, also connects to the rostellum. This structure varies among species and holds taxonomic significance. For example, in Catasetum, the rostellum extends into antennae-like projections. After pollination, emasculation, or injury, the plant hormone ethylene is produced, triggering various post-pollination, post-emasculation, and post-injury processes, including changes in perianth color, senescence, and, ultimately, the death of floral segments that have completed their functions. Although the rostellum plays a significant role, it remains understudied, and many aspects of its function are still unknown. This review high- lights current knowledge and explores speculative hypotheses that may invite differing opinions and perspectives, which will likely be revised as future research deepens our understanding of its biological and ecological roles.
Downloads
References
Abeles, F. B. (1973). Ethylene in plant biology. Academic Press.
Abeles, F. B., Morgan, P. W., & Saltvelt, M. E. (1992). Ethylene in plant biology (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
Akamine, E. K. (1963). Ethylene production by fading Vanda orchid flowers. Science, 140(3572), 1217–1218.
Ames, O. (1946). The evolution of the orchid flower. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 14(6), 355–360.
Arditti, J. (1979). Aspects of the physiology of orchids. Advances in Botanical Research, 7, 421–635.
Arditti, J. (1992). Fundamentals of orchid biology. John Wiley & Sons.
Arditti, J., & Flick, B. H. (1974). Postpollination phenomena in orchid flowers: V. Participation by the rostellum and gynostemium tip. American Journal of Botany, 61(6), 643–651.
Arditti, J., & Hew, C. S. (2007). The origin of Vanda Miss Joaquim. In K. M. Cameron, T. Kull, & J. Arditti (Eds.), Orchid biology: Reviews and perspectives IX (pp. 261–309). The New York Botanical Garden Press.
Avadhani, P. N., Nair, H., Arditti, J., & Hew, C. S. (1994). Physiology of orchid flowers. In J. Arditti (Ed.), Orchid biology: Reviews and perspectives VI (pp. 189–362). John Wiley & Sons.
Batista, J. A. N., Vale, A. A., Carvalho, B. M., Proite, K., Ramalho, A. J., Munhoz, A. C. D., Van der Berg, C., & Bianchetti, L. B. (2016). Four new species in Habenaria (Orchidaceae) from the Espinhaço range, Brasil. Systematic Botany, 41, 275–292.
Bauer, F., & Lindley, J. (1830–1838). Illustrations of orchidaceous plants. Ridgeway.
Bentham, G. (1881). Notes on the Orchidaceae. Journal of the Linnean Society, London, Botany, 18, 281–361.
Brown, R. (1833). Observations on the organs and mode of fecundation in Orchidaceae and Asclepiadeae. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Botany, 16, 685–720.
Bui, A. Q., & O’Neil, S. D. (1998). Three 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase genes regulated by primary and secondary pollination signals in orchid flowers. Plant Physiology, 116(2), 419–428.
Burg, S. P., & Dijkman, M. J. (1967). Ethylene and auxin participation in pollen-induced fading of Vanda blossoms. Plant Physiology, 42(11), 1648–1650.
Cardoso-Gustavson, P., Davis, A. R., Bona, C., Campbell, L. M., & de Barros, F. (2017). The rostellum, stigma, style, and ovarian transmitting tissue in Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 185(3), 393–412.
Chadwick, A. V., Hogan, N. M., & Arditti, J. (1980). Postpollination phenomena in orchid flowers IX: Induction and inhibition of ethylene evolution, anthocyanin synthesis, and perianth senescence. Botanical Gazette, 141(4), 422–427.
Chadwick, A. V., Nyman, L. P., & Arditti, J. (1986). Sites of ethylene evolution in orchid flowers. Lindleyana, 1, 164–168. Cheng, J., Shi, J. J., Shangguan, F.-Z., Dafni, A., Deng, Z. H., & Luo, Y.-B. (2009). The pollination of a self-incompatible, food-mimic orchid, Coelogyne fimbriata (Orchidaceae), by female Vespula wasps. Annals of Botany, 104(4), 565–571.
Curtis, J. T. (1943). An unusual pollen reaction in Phalaenopsis. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 11, 258–260.
Darwin, C. (1888). The various contrivances by which orchids are fertilised by insects (2nd ed.). John Murray.
Darwin, C. (1904). The various contrivances by which orchids are fertilised by insects (7th impression of the 2nd ed.). John Murray.
Davidson, O. W. (1949). Effects of ethylene on orchid flowers. Proceedings of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 53, 440–443.
Dijkman, M. J., & Burg, S. P. (1970). Auxin-induced spoiling of Vanda blossoms. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 39, 799–904.
Dressler, R. L. (1961). The structure of the orchid flower. Missouri Botanical Gardens Bulletin, 49, 60–69.
Dressler, R. L. (1989). Rostellum and viscidium: Divergent definitions. Lindleyana, 4, 48–49.
Dressler, R. L. (1993). Phylogeny and classification of the orchid family. Timber Press.
Dressler, R. L., & Salazar, G. G. (1991). Viscarium, a term for the glue-bearing area of the rostellum. Orchid Research Newsletter (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, U.K.), 17, 11–12.
Duncan, R. E., & Schubert, C. K. (1943). Dislodgement of anthers in Cymbidium. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 16, 208–210.
Eftimov, P. G. (2022). An intriguing morphological variability of Platanthera S.L. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1, 125–126.
Freudenstein, J. V. (1994). Gynostemium structure and relationships of the Corallorhizinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae). Plant Systematics and Evolution, 193, 1–19.
Freudenstein, J. V., Harris, E. M., & Rasmussen, F. N. (2002). The evolution of anther morphology in orchids: Incumbent anthers, superposed pollinia, and the vandoid complex. American Journal of Botany, 60, 1747–1755.
Gane, R. (1934). Production of ethylene by some ripening fruits. Nature, 134, 1008.
Gamisch, A., Staedler, Y. M., Schönenberger, J., Fischer, G. A., & Comes, H. P. (2013). Histological and micro-CT evidence of stigmatic rostellum receptivity promoting auto-pollination in the Madagascan orchid Bulbophyllum bicoloratum. PLoS ONE, 8, e72688. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072688
Garay, L. A. (1960). On the origin of the Orchidaceae. Botanical Museum Leaflets Harvard University, 13, 57–96.
Gellert, M. (1923). Anatomische Studien über den Bau der Orchideenblüte. Fedde’s Repertorium, 24, 1–66.
Hagerup, O. (1952). The morphology and biology of some primitive orchid flowers. Phytomorphology, 2, 134–138.
Harrison, C. R., & Arditti, J. (1976). Post-pollination phenomena in orchid flowers: VII. Phosphate transport. American Journal of Botany, 63, 911–918.
Henslow, J. S. (1858). On a monstrous development in Habenaria chlorantha. Journal of the Linnean Society, London, Botany, 2, 104–105.
Heusser, K. (1914). Die Entwicklung der generativen Organe von Himantoglossum hircinum Spr. [= Loroglossuim hircinum Rich.]. Dissertation, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule in Zurich. Druck von C. Heinrich.
Hew, C. S., Yam, T. W., & Arditti, J. (2002). Biology of Vanda Miss Joaquim. National University of Singapore Press.
Hew, C. S., & Yong, J. W. H. (1997). The physiology of tropical orchids in relation to the industry (1st ed.). World Scientific Publishing Co.
Hew, C. S., & Yong, J. W. H. (2004). The physiology of tropical orchids in relation to the industry (2nd ed.). World Scientific Publishing Co.
Hirmer, M. (1920). Beiträge zur Organographie der Orchideenblüte. Flora, Allgemeine Botanische Zeitung, 13, 213–310. Plates X–XII.
Hooker, J. D. (1854). On the function and structure of the rostellum of Listera ovata. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London, Series B, Biological Sciences, 144, 259–263.
Hooker, J. D. (1855). Le fonction et la structure du rostellum dans le Listera ovata. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique et Biologie Végétale, Series IV, 3, 85–90.
Jakubska-Busse, A. E., Zołubak, M., Górniak, Z., Łobas, S., Tsiftsis, S., & Steiu, C. (2020). A revision of taxonomy and identification of Epipactis greuteri (Orchidaceae, Neottieae). Plants, 9, 783–801.
Johnson, S., & Kurzweil, H. (1998). Systematics and phylogeny of the Satyrium erectum group (Orchidaceae), with descriptions of two new species from the Karoo region of South Africa. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 127, 179–194.
Kemeç-Hürkan, Y., Hürkan, K., & Aki, C. (2015). In vitro pollen germination of orchids traditionally used to produce salep. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5, 148–152.
Kurzweil, H. (1987a). Developmental studies in orchid flowers I: Epiendroid and Vandoid species. Nordic Journal of Botany, 7, 427–442.
Kurzweil, H. (1987b). Developmental studies in orchid flowers II: Orchidoid species. Nordic Journal of Botany, 7, 443–451.
Kurzweil, H. (1988). Developmental studies in orchid flowers III: Neottioid species. Nordic Journal of Botany, 8, 271– 282.
Kurzweil, H. (1989). Floral morphology and ontogeny in Huttonaea pulchra. Lindleyana, 4, 1–5.
Kurzweil, H., & Linder, H. P. (1999). A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Satyrium (Fam. Orchidaceae). Beiträge zur Biologie der Pflanzen, 71, 101–181.
Kurzweil, H., Weston, P. H., & Perkins, A. J. (2005). Morphological and ontogenetic studies on the gynostemium of some Australian members of Diurideae and Cranichideae (Orchidaceae). Telopea, 11, 11–33.
Lindley, J. (1853). The vegetable kingdom (3rd ed.). Bradbury & Evans, Whitefriars, London.
Nair, H., Idris, Z. M., & Arditti, J. (1991). Effects of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid on ethylene evolution and senescence of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) flowers. Lindleyana, 6, 49–58.
Nazarov, V. V., & Gerlach, G. (1997). The potential seed productivity of orchid flowers and peculiarities of their pollination systems. Lindleyana, 12, 188–204.
Nilsson, L. A. (1981). The pollination ecology of Listera ovata (Orchidaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany, 1, 461–480.
Oliver, E. G. H., Liltved, W. R., & Pauw, A. (2008). Pterygodium vermiferum (Coryciinae), a new, autonomously self-pollinating, oil-secreting orchid from the West Cape of South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 74, 617–622.
Pfitzer, E. (1889). Orchidaceae. In A. Engler & K. Prants (Eds.), Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien nebst ihren Gattungen und wichtigeren Arten, insbesondere den Nutzpflanzen, unter Mitwirkung zahlreicher hervorragender Fachgelehrten begründet (Part 2, Sec. 6, pp. 52–218). W. Engelman.
Pritchard, H. W., & Prendergast, F. G. (1989). Factors influencing the germination and storage characteristics of orchid pollen. In Modern methods in orchid conservation (pp. 34–52). Cambridge University Press.
Rao, A. N., & Lee, W. C. (1973). Pollen viability and germination in some orchid hybrids. The Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, 26, 245–257.
Rasmussen, F. N. (1982). The gynostemium of the neottioid orchids. Opera Botanica, 65, 1–96.
Rasmussen, F. N. (1985). The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J. J. Smith (Orchidaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, London, 91, 447–456.
Rasmussen, F. N. (1986a). The various contrivances by which pollinia are attached to viscidia. Lindleyana, 1, 21–32.
Rasmussen, F. N. (1986b). Ontogeny and phylogeny in Orchidaceae. Lindleyana, 1, 114–124.
Reichenbach, H. G. (1885). Ueber das System der Orchideen. Bulletin de Congrès Internationale de Botanique et Horticulture Reuni 1884, 39–58.
Richard, L. C. (1818). De orchideis Europaeis annotationes. Memoires de Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 4, 23–61.
Rotor, G., Jr., & MacDaniels, L. H. (1951). Flower bud differentiation and development in Cattleya labiata Lindl. American Journal of Botany, 38, 147–152.
Rudall, P. J., Perl, C. D., & Bateman, R. M. (2013). Organ homologies in orchid flowers re-interpreted using the Musk Orchid as a model. PeerJ, 1, e26. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.26
Salazar, G. A., Hernández-López, T. J., Sharma, J., Jiménez-Machorro, R., Cabrera, L. I., & Treviño-Carreón, J. (2016). Greenwoodiella, a new genus of Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) from North and Central America and the Greater
Antilles, with a new species from the Chihuahuan desert. Systematic Botany, 41, 823–838.
Sanford, W. W., Bonanos, S., & Xanthakis, A. (1963). A preliminary study of orchid pollen germination and the chromatographic isolation of a stimulant from columns. Phytochemistry, 3, 671–676.
Strauss, M. S. (1976). The physiology of pollination-induced phenomena in the Orchidaceae (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Irvine).
Strauss, M. S., & Arditti, J. (1984). Postpollination phenomena in orchid flowers: XII. Effects of pollination, emasculation, and auxin treatment on flowers of Cattleya Portia ‘Cannizaro’ and the rostellum of Phalaenopsis. Botanical Gazette, 145, 43–49.
Strauss, M. S., & Koopowitz, H. (1973). Floral physiology of Angraecum: I. Inheritance of post-pollination phenomena. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 42, 495–502.
Swamy, B. G. L. (1948). Vascular anatomy of orchid flowers. Botanical Museum Leaflets, Harvard University, 13, 61–95.
Thielen, M., Voigt, D., Gallenmüller, F., Speck, T., & Gorb, S. (2021). “Push and pull”: Biomechanics of the pollination apparatus of Oncidium spp. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering, 6, 635–694.
Valencia-Nieto, B., Sosa, V., & Márquez-Guzmán, J. (2018). Anther development in tribe Epidendreae: Orchids with contrasting pollination syndromes. PeerJ, 6, e4383. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerJ.4383
Van der Pijl, L., & Dodson, C. H. (1966). Orchid flowers, their pollination and evolution. University of Miami Press.
Vermeulen, P. (1955). The rostellum of the Ophrydeae. American Orchid Society Bulletin, 24, 239–245.
Vermeulen, P. (1959). The different structures of the rostellum in Ophrydeae and Neottieae. Acta Botanica Neerlandica, 8, 338–355.
Vermeulen, P. (1966). The system of the Orchidales. Acta Botanica Neerlandica, 15, 224–253.
Williamson, G. (1984). Observations of a mechanism by which self-pollination may occur in Eulophia (Orchidaceae). Journal of South African Botany, 50, 417–423.
Wolf, T. H. (1865–1866). Beiträge zur entwicklungsgeschichte der orchideen-blüte mit besonderer berücksichtigung der bursicula und des retinaculum. Jahrbücher für wissenschaftliche Botanik, 4, 261–384. Plates XV–XVII.
Woltering, E. T., & Harren, F. (1989). Role of rostellum desiccation in emasculation-induced phenomena in orchid flowers. Journal of Experimental Botany, 40, 907–912.
Yam, T. W., Arditti, J., & Cameron, K. M. (2009). “The orchids have been a splendid sport” – An alternative look at Charles Darwin’s contribution to orchid biology. American Journal of Botany, 96(12), 2128–2154.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
According to the Open Access policy promoted by the University of Costa Rica, all the papers published by Lankesteriana are licensed under the Creative Commons copyright and can be downloaded free of charge. The journal holds copyright and publishing rights under the CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 CR license.
Before the publication of the materials submitted by the author(s) in LANKESTERIANA, the author(s) hereby assign all rights in the article to the Lankester Botanical Garden.
