This investigation concerns a unique type of epidermal cells in the anther ofStrelitzia reginae. At dehiscence these cells are released and form multicellular threads. The radial and tangential middle lamella regions of their cell walls disintegrate by the formation of numerous growing and fusing cavities. The possibility that this process could be due to digestion by pectinase was elucidated by use of cytochemical methods. In immature ordinary and thread-forming cells staining for pectin with hydroxylamine-ferric chloride yielded reaction products mainly in the middle lamella region and the subcuticular layer. After the appearance of cavities reaction took place around but not inside these formations. Treatment with fungal pectinase caused degradation of cell walls in ordinary epidermal tissue. Mature cell walls appeared more resistant to the lytic action than immature ones. In thread-forming tissue, independent of the stage of maturation, digestion of the pectin rich regions was induced. However, the fungal enzyme was not able to produce cavities. No pectin reaction with hydroxylamine-ferric chloride was obtained after pectinase treatment.