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<正>The morphological and anatomical characteristics of both fertile and sterile flowers of Viburnum raacrocephalum f.keteleeri during different developmental stages were investigated using scanning electron microscope,fluorescence microscope,and histochemical staining.In addition,seed production and seed set rate in inflorescence with sterile or without sterile flowers were determined.The results demonstrate that the stamens and pistils of sterile flowers develop similarly to those of fertile flowers during the early developmental stages.Just after the stage of anther formation,the stamens and pistils of sterile flowers begin to develop abnormally,while those of fertile flowers continue to develop normally.At anthesis,nearly all the sterile flowers possess abnormal and non- functional stamens and pistils.It is also found that seed production and seed set rate are significantly higher in inflorescence with sterile flowers than in inflorescence without sterile flowers.These results suggest that the sterile flowers in V.macrocephalum f.keteleeri have evolved from fertile flowers under natural selection pressure,and play an important role in enhancing reproductive success through effectively attracting pollinators and providing additional nutrition for seed development.