Comparative morphological analysis of ovaries in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. single pink, crested peach and double orange flowers

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. generally has a 5-loculed ovary, with each locule consist of numerous ovules. Observations have been made on the ovarian morphology of H. rosa-sinensis L. single pink, crested peach, and double orange flowers. The specimens of ovaries were prepared by a free-hand section technique and observed under the Dino-Lite digital microscope. The results show that a single pink flower has a normal ovary that consists of 5 locules. There are two ovule rows in each locule, with each row consists of 6 ovules. The observation of the ovaries of the crested peach flowers shows that one locule with another is indistinguishable, but the ovules are still present. Even though ovule still exists in ovarium, the number and the arrangement of the ovules are difficult to determine. In the longitudinal and cross-sections of the double-orange variation, ovules are not found in the ovary. Instead, petal-like structures seem to replace the ovule position. Based on the results of morphological observations, homeosis events are suspected to occur in the ovaries of crested peach and double orange flowers. Presumably, there is a difference in class C genes AGAMOUS expression of the three types. The obtained morphological data is the basis for further research on the molecular analysis of the three variations of the flower.