Myxospermy is an important feature of achenes of the alpine plant Mirabilis himalaica, and the achene mucilage increases the germination rate and early seedling growth during exposure to abiotic stresses, which has important functions that allow M. himalaica to survive the extreme climate of the Tibet Plateau. However, achene formation and mucilage extrusion are poorly understood. In the present study, comprehensive analyses were performed on mucilage production during achene development and mucilage release from hydrated achene pericarp in M. himalaica. First, fertilization initiated the development of M. himalaica achenes, during which their color, size and texture were altered dramatically. Second, using a metachromatic staining procedure, cytological events, the establishment of mucilage secretory cells in the inner epicarp layer were observed. The hydration of mature achenes led to the rapid bursting of mucilage secretory cells, which released a hydrophilic gel that surrounded the achenes. Finally, enzymatic digestion indicated that major components of the mucilage were pectins; glucose (41.40%), rhamnose (26.58%), galactose (18.33%), trehalose (12.12%), and mannose (1.57%) were found to be the components of achene by using ion-exchange chromatography.

粘精子是高山植物喜马拉加奇异果瘦果的重要特征，瘦果粘液在非生物胁迫下提高发芽率和幼苗早期生长，对喜马拉雅在青藏高原极端气候条件下生存具有重要作用. 然而，瘦果形成和粘液挤出知之甚少。在本研究中，对喜马拉加瘦果发育过程中的粘液产生和水合瘦果果皮的粘液释放进行了综合分析。首先，受精启动了喜马拉雅山的发育瘦果，在此期间，它们的颜色、大小和质地发生了巨大变化。其次，使用异染染色程序，观察细胞学事件，在内果皮层中建立粘液分泌细胞。成熟瘦果的水合作用导致粘液分泌细胞迅速破裂，从而释放出包围瘦果的亲水凝胶。最后，酶消化表明粘液的主要成分是果胶；使用离子交换色谱法发现葡萄糖（41.40%）、鼠李糖（26.58%）、半乳糖（18.33%）、海藻糖（12.12%）和甘露糖（1.57%）是瘦果的成分。