Fig. 3

Comparison of the sex differentiation between Hermaphrodite Flowers and Male Flowers. In T. sinensis, male and bisexual flowers have the same calyx initiation, petal initiation and stamen initiation pattern (from stage 1 to 5), so we begin to show their differences from stage 5. a The morphology of 5 petals and 5 stamens. a-b~g The morphology of HF: a, b, c Two or three gynoecium primordia begin to form as a ridge (the ring meristem) around the center of the flower; c, d at stage 7, the gynoecium grows as a hollow tube; at stage 8, the gynoecium tube grows taller and wider; during stage 10, ovule primordiu were observable; g, h at flowering time, the gynoecium becomes ready for fertilization, and while the stamens extend out of the petals, fertilization occurs. a-b~g The morphology of MF: a, b at stage 6, the gynoecium primordium also begins to form, but the central zone or gynoecium primordium on the flower apex was fused as a small bulge; c~e Abnormal pistil primordium grows rapidly, and finger-like. f, g The pistil was characterized by a solid, stem-like structure. vp, vestigial pistil; oi, outer integument; ii, inner integument; rm., ring meristem; pp., pistil primordium; st, stamen; pi, pistil; cz, central zone