An evo-devo view of the gynoecium

The appearance of the flower marks a key event in the evolutionary history of plants. Among the four types of floral organs, the gynoecium represents the major adaptive advantage of the flower. The gynoecium is an enclosing structure that protects and facilitates the fertilization of the ovules, which then mature as seeds. Upon fertilization, in many species, the gynoecium itself eventually becomes the fruit, which contributes to the dispersal of the seeds. However, despite its importance and the recent advances in our understanding of the genetic regulatory network guiding early gynoecium development, many questions remain to be resolved regarding the extent of the conservation of the molecular mechanisms for gynoecium development among different taxa, and how these mechanisms give origin and diversification to the gynoecium. In this review, we compile the existing knowledge about the evolution, development, and molecular mechanisms involved in the origin and evolution of the gynoecium.

Automated summary

The appearance of the flower is a significant event in the evolutionary history of plants, with the gynoecium being a key organ that provides adaptive advantages. The gynoecium protects and facilitates fertilization of the ovules, which develop into seeds. In many species, the gynoecium itself becomes the fruit, aiding in seed dispersal. Despite recent advances in understanding the genetic regulatory network of gynoecium development, questions remain about the conservation of molecular mechanisms across different taxa and the origin of gynoecium diversification.