Morphological structure and function of the inner staminodes in Anaxagorea javanica

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and light microscope (LM) were used to examine the morphology and structure of stamens, staminodes, and pistils in Anaxagorea javanica Blume. The glandular morphology of staminodes and stigma were different, but the chemical compositions were very similar. The cross-section of the stamens and staminodes were also similar. We speculated that the staminodes might be transitional structures between the stamens and pistils. In the female stage, the mucilage released by the staminode apically glandular hairs is used by pollinating insects; in the male stage, the staminodes are S-shaped and cover the stigma to prevent self-pollination.Flaky stamens, staminodes and the large pores which scattered with the ventral side of themt are considered original characters in Annonaceae.