Cucumis Sativus L.Cucumis Sativus L.

Nick LorenzNick Lorenz

May 1, 2006May 1, 2006

PhylogenyPhylogeny Genus Cucumis L.

Gourd Family Cucurbitaceae

Related to Squash, Melons, Pumpkins

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts Cucumbers originated in India where they have been Cucumbers originated in India where they have been

cultivated for 3000 years.cultivated for 3000 years. Introduced to the New World by Columbus.Introduced to the New World by Columbus. Pollinated by bees Pollinated by bees Cucumbers contain 5 calories per ounce and only very Cucumbers contain 5 calories per ounce and only very

small amounts of nutrientssmall amounts of nutrients Three different flower types --- staminate (male), Three different flower types --- staminate (male),

pistilate (female) and hermaphrodite (both male and pistilate (female) and hermaphrodite (both male and female).female).

FlowersFlowersMale Staminate --->Male Staminate --->

Female Pistilate Female Pistilate (below and right)(below and right)

Ovary

Pollen

Sepal

Fruit AnatomyFruit Anatomy

Parietal Parietal PepoPepo Inferior OvaryInferior Ovary Hard to distinguish Hard to distinguish

endocarpendocarp

Ovule

Placenta

Ovules r.s.

Apical MeristemApical MeristemTunica-CorpusTunica-CorpusFlower DevelopmentFlower Development

Flowering Buds

Leaf Primordial

Tunica

Corpus

Leaf MorphologyLeaf MorphologyDicotDicotBifacialBifacialPalmate (major) and Palmate (major) and

Reticulate (minor) Reticulate (minor) venationvenation

Dicot Dicot VenationVenation

Leaf Venation Major Vein

Minor Vein

Major Vein

Petiole and Leaf GapPetiole and Leaf Gap

Petiole x.s.Leaf Trace

Leaf Gap

Vascular Bundles missing

StomataStomata

Paracytic Paracytic with different subsidiary cells

Trichome CityTrichome City

Stinging -LeafShort Multicellular Uniseriate- Stem

Glandular Capitate -Leaf Long Multicellular Uniseriate- Stem

Stem Vascular Stem Vascular MorphologyMorphology

Open Open Bicollateral Bicollateral AmphicribralAmphicribralSclerificationSclerification

Secondary Growth of Vascular Bundles (x.s. 4x with Toluidine Blue)

Stem VascularStem VascularSecondary Phloem

Metaxylem

Protoxylem

Primary Phloem

Vascular Cambium

Epidermis and TissuesEpidermis and Tissues

Angular Collenchyma

Epidermis

Reticulate Metaxylem

Helical protoxylem not shownSieve Elements with callose

Large Parenchyma

Root SystemRoot SystemFiberous RootsFiberous Roots

TriarchTriarch

Lateral Root Phloem

Endodermis

Rhizodermis

XylemEpidermis

RootRoot

Exarch Development

Later Secondary Growth

Vascular Cambium

Cortex

Secondary Growth with Phelloderm

Phellogen in StemPhellogen in StemMultiple Phellem Multiple Phellem

layerslayersSuberinSuberinTissues outside Tissues outside

phellem our lostphellem our lost

Thank youThank you