Obdiplostemony: the occurrence of a transitional stage linking robust flower configurations

Obdiplostemony has long been a controversial condition as it diverges from diplostemony found among most core eudicot orders by the more external insertion of the alternisepalous stamens. In this paper we review the definition and occurrence of obdiplostemony, and analyse how the condition has impacted on floral diversification and species evolution.

Obdiplostemony represents an amalgamation of at least five different floral developmental pathways, all of them leading to the external positioning of the alternisepalous stamen whorl within a two-whorled androecium. In secondary obdiplostemony the antesepalous stamens arise before the alternisepalous stamens. The position of alternisepalous stamens at maturity is more external due to subtle shifts of stamens linked to a weakening of the alternisepalous sector including stamen and petal (type I), alternisepalous stamens arising de facto externally of antesepalous stamens (type II) or alternisepalous stamens shifting outside due to the sterilization of antesepalous stamens (type III: Sapotaceae). In primary obdiplostemony the alternisepalous stamens arise before the antesepalous stamens and are more externally from initiation. The antesepalous stamen whorl is staminodial and shows a tendency for loss (type I), or the petals are missing and the alternisepalous stamens effectively occupy their space (type II). Although obdiplostemony is often related to an isomerous gynoecium, this is not essential. Phylogenetically, both secondary and primary obdiplostemony can be seen as transitional stages from diplostemony to either haplostemony or obhaplostemony. Obdiplostemony is the consequence of shifts in the balance between the two stamen whorls, affecting either the alternisepalous stamens together with the petals, or the antesepalous stamens.

We advocate a broad definition of obdiplostemony, to include androecia with incomplete whorls, staminodial whorls, anisomerous gynoecia and an absence of petals. As such, the taxonomic significance of obdiplostemony is transient, although it is a clear illustration of how developmental flexibility is responsible for highly different floral morphs.