Study of the Growth Cycle and Development of Lycoris chinensis Leaves
中国石蒜叶片的生长周期及其发育过程的研究

To discover the leaf development of Lycoris, the growth cycle of L. chinensis leaf was observed, and the process of shaping was studied with use of the paraffin method and scanning electron microscopy. Leaves began to shape from the end of March until September, and the growth of young leaves terminated in November. In February or March of the next year, the leaves shot out of the ground. Finally, they withered in May. In addition, 4 phases exist in the process of leaf shaping (buttress forming, primordium, straplike leaf and sheath).At first, the leaf primordium shapes the zonary leaf, and then the plaits are formed at the bilateral base of the zonary leaf. Finally, the plaits close and form sheaths. Thus, an integrated leaf appears.