ABSTRACT This study presents a morphoanatomical analysis of Dyckia ibicuiensis , D. polyclada and D. racinae stamens. Flowers at anthesis were desiccated and their stamens were processed using common light microscopic techniques. Morphologically, the androecium in these species is differentiated by the disposition of the stamens around the gynoecium and by general anther characteristics. Included stamens, with antesepalous filaments different from those of the antepetalous, anthers in a radial disposition, always curved, and sporangia facing the gynoecium characterize D. ibicuiensis and D. racinae . This configuration results from the filament connation, as well as special anatomical characteristics of the anthers, such as the connective with thickenings. In addition, these species are differentiated by the U-shaped thickening in the endothecium. D. polyclada is characterized by its small, free and exserted stamens, with a very short common tube, its anthers, that are not curved or organized around the gynoecium, and its divergent sporangia. The anatomical and morphological characteristics identified here are important for characterization of these species. Considering that the androecium is important in the delimitation of Dyckia , the increased use of these data should be equally important for other species and infrageneric groupings.

This paper presents a comparative description of the starch distribution in the anthers, microspores and pollen grains of Aechmea recurvata, Dyckia racinae and Tillandsia aeranthos. Flowers at different stages of development were processed according to plant microtechniques for observation by light microscope. Ten stages of embryological development were used as references for the comparative analysis of starch distribution and dynamics. The structural data showed a greater starch accumulation in the parietal layers and connective of D. racinae. It was observed that in the species studied, starch began to accumulate in microspore mother cell stage. The pollen grains in D. racinae and in T. aeranthos present two amylogenesis-amylolysis cycles, while A. recurvata presents only one. One amylogenesis-amylolysis cycle occurs in the parietal layers and/or connective tissue in all three species. The pollen grains in the three species are dispersed without starch and are characterized as the starchless type. Starch dynamics presents a close relation to the development of sporangia, microspores and pollen grains. It is believed that differences in the starch distribution and accumulation are related to the abiotic factors where the species are found.