Flowering & Reproductive Development
Preflowers, Sex Expression & Monitoring
Reproductive structures should be identified from morphology and developmental stage, with repeated node inspections when structures are still immature.
Key concepts
- Immature structures can be ambiguous
- Staminate and pistillate structures develop differently
- Mixed-sex expression can occur
- Sex expression and the cause of mixed-sex traits are separate questions
What to measure or observe
- Inspect multiple nodes with magnification
- Photograph structures over time
- Record plant identity and branch location
- Separate morphology from assumptions about cause
Common mistakes
- Calling stipules sex organs
- Diagnosing from one blurred structure
- Assuming any unusual flower shape proves a genetic cause
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Node anatomy comparison
- Male/female preflower sequence
- Mixed-sex reference plate
- Stipule versus reproductive structure panel