Morphological, histological and ultrastructural features of osmophores and nectary of Bulbophyllum wendlandianum (Kraenzl.) Dammer (B. section Cirrhopetalum Lindl., Bulbophyllinae Schltr., Orchidaceae)

The species from Bulbophyllinae are generally regarded as fly-pollinated: myophilous or sapromyophilous. The section Cirrhopetalum is characterized by umbellate inflorescence and elongated lateral sepals. The aim of the floral anatomical investigation (micromorphology, histochemistry, ultrastructure) in Bulbophyllum wendlandianum (section Cirrhopetalum) was the detection of secretory activity. The appendages of dorsal sepal and petals function as osmophores. The exudation is transported inside vesicles via granulocrine secretion. The cuticle stretches and forms swellings on the entire cell surface. Such swellings of cuticle on the appendages of dorsal sepal and petals were not previously described in Bulbophyllum species. The nectary is located in the central groove on the adaxial lip surface. It comprises epidermal epithelial cells and few subepidermal layers.