Tradescantia flower

L. W. Mericle and R. P. Mericle, Genetic nature of somatic mutations for flower color in Tradescantia, clone 02, Radiat. Bot. 7, 449-464 (1967). 

Several species in the family Commelinaceae, of which Tradescantia is a member, have features particularly well suited for certain radiobiological studies. Effects produced by ionizing radiations which are easily studied include (1) chromosome aberrations in microspores, root tips, ovaries, and stamen hairs (2) somatic mutations in petals and stamen hairs in clones heterozygous for flower color (3) pollen abortion (4) loss of reproductive integrity in stamen hairs and (5) whole plant or seedling death. The stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone 02 have also proved... 

Although many tissues or organs of this plant may be used efficiently in various experimental procedures (Table 1), this chapter will be concerned primarily with a detailed description of the procedures currently being used in handling the Tradescantia clone 02 stamen-hair system. Certain other Tradescantia clones, heterozygous for flower color, may be handled in the same way. >26,29,31)... 

Bud development in the inflorescence of Tradescantia clone 02 proceeds in an orderly and continuous sequence from bud initiation to an-thesis, with the youngest buds at the base of the inflorescence 8,43) (Figs. 2A and 3). The development is very similar to that described in detail for T. paludosa. 4) An inflorescence on a potted plant may produce flowers and initiate new buds for over 5 months, ultimately producing as many as 140 or more flowers if the flowers are picked daily. 

K. M. Marimuthu, L. A. Schairer, and A. H. Sparrow, The effects of space flight factors and gamma radiation on flower production and microspore division and development in Tradescantia, Radiation Botany 10, 249-259 (1970). 

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