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Canna indica (Zingiberales) is one of the most important ornamental species characterized with beautiful petaloid staminodes, which are considered to evolve from stamens. However, the genetic basis for the development of petaloid staminodes remains unclear largely because the genomic sequences are not available. By using RNA-Seq, we sequenced the transcripts in the flower of C. indica, and quantified the temporal gene expressions in flower primordium and differentiated flower, as well as the spatial gene expressions in petal and petaloid staminode. In total, 118,869 unigenes were assembled, among which 67,299 unigenes were annotated. Quantification analysis identified the differentially expressed genes in the temporal and spatial two comparisons, based on which, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the representative terms in each sample, such as specification of organ number in flower primordium, growth in differentiated flower, secondary cell wall biogenesis in petal and cell division in petaloid staminode. Among the 51 analyzed MADS-box unigenes, 37 were up-regulated in differentiated flower compared with those in flower primordium. A-class unigenes were expressed higher in petal than in petaloid staminode, and C-class unigenes were expressed oppositely, whereas B-class unigenes demonstrated close expression levels in these two organs, indicating that petaloid staminode retains stamen identity to some degree. In situ hybridization provided more detailed expression patterns of these unigenes, and revealed the extended expression of B-class to the carpel at later stages when the style turned flat. These results constitute a preliminary basis for the study of flower development in C. indica and can be applied in further study of the evolution of Zingiberales.

Perforated fluid distribution pipes have been widely used in agriculture, water supply and drainage, ventilation, the chemical industry, and other sectors. The momentum equation for variable mass flow with a variable exchange coefficient and variable friction coefficient was developed by using the momentum conservation method under the condition of a certain slope. The change laws of the variable momentum exchange coefficient and the variable resistance coefficient along the flow were analyzed, and the function of the momentum exchange coefficient was given. According to the velocity distribution of the power function, the momentum equation of variable mass flow was solved for different Reynolds numbers. The analytical solution contains components of pressure, gravity, friction and momentum and reflects the influence of various factors on the pressure distribution along the perforated pipe. The calculated results of the analytical solution were compared with the experimental values of the study by Jin et al. 1984 and Wang et al. 2001 with the mean errors 8.2%, 3.8% and 2.7%, and showed that the analytical solution of the variable mass momentum equation was qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the experimental results.

Th e identity of the labellum is a hot point in Zingiberales, which has long been discussed by many authors. In this study, fl oral vasculature and ontogeny of Canna indica (Cannaceae) was observed by LM and SEM in order to ascertain the identity of the labellum and the functional stamen of this species and provide evidence for the homologies of the fl oral organs in Zingiberales. Th e results indicate that the labellum of C. indica have incorporated two androecial members from both outer and inner whorls, rather than three, one or half member, as previously suggested by morphologists of Cannaceae fl owers. Th e two labellum traces are here interpreted as: one from the outer androecial whorl (diverging from the carpellary dorsal bundle), while the other from the inner androecial whorl (diverging from the parietal bundle). Th e functional stamen also incorporates two androecial bundles, the same as the labellum: one trace from the carpellary dorsal bundle, and the other (the petaloid appendage) from the parietal bundle. In addition, the origin of the vascular system in the androecium of Zingiberales and its systematic signifi cance are discussed.

Floral organs usually take on the characteristics of petals in ginger plants. In Canna indica, the most ornamental parts of the flowers are considered to be staminode, which means rudimentary and sterile stamen. However, the precise nature of these petaloid organs is yet to be determined. Two floral organ identity genes GLOBOSA (GLO) and AGAMOUS (AG) are isolated from Canna indica. Their expression patterns suggest that petaloid staminodes and labellum are of androecium identity, in agreement with their position within the flower. But the current molecular, morphological and anatomical data, are still not sufficient to explain the distinct morphology observed in staminodes and fertile stamen in Canna indica.

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The morphological anatomy of leaf and rhizome was studied at different developmental stages in Zingiber officinale Roscoe using both light and electron microscopy, with an emphasis on characterizing secretory structures. The results show that the leaf comprises epidermal cells, mesophyll cells, and vascular bundles. Oil and crystal cells are scattered throughout the parenchyma, and some are within or in close contact to the vascular bundle sheath. The rhizome consists of epidermis, cortex, and stele. The pericycle of the rhizome remains meristematic and produces tissues centripetally, whereas the endodermis has no meristematic activity. Starch grains vary in shape from round to oval and vary in size from small to large throughout rhizome development. Oil cells and cavities are scattered and cavities are of lysigenous origin. When mature, the starch grains decrease in abundance while an increasing number of oil cells and cavities are formed. This anatomic characterization provides a theory foundation for medicinal exploitation and utilization of Z. officinale Roscoe.