Article

Embryological study on native Bulgarian populations of Gentiana lutea L. has been carried out. The peculiarities of the anthers, ovules, micro- and macrosporogenesis, the development of male and female gametophyte as well as the embryo- and endospermogenesis are established. The results of the study reveal a specialization of this species, in particular regarding the female gametophyte development not only according to the basic Polygonum (monosporic)-type but to the Allium (bisporic)-type too and a tendency to gametophytic apomixis (apospory). Some of relatively primitive features are established in the male generative sphere but they are not so much and important to change the status of G. lutea as an evolutionary advanced species and they are only considered as a manifestation of the heterobathmy.