Three genomic clones (Inv ^*Dc1, Inv ^*Dc2 and Inv ^*Dc3) were isolated by using the cDNA for carrot cell wall -fructofuranosidase as a probe. The expression patterns of the three genes differed markedly. High levels of Inv ^*Dc1 transcripts were found in leaves and roots of young carrot, whereas in plants with developing tap roots no transcripts were detected. A high level of mRNA of Inv ^*Dc1 was also present in suspension-cultured cells. In developing reproductive organs, only low levels of transcripts of Inv ^*Dc1 were found in flower buds and flowers and none at later stages of development. In contrast, Inv ^*Dc2 and Inv ^*Dc3 were not expressed in vegetative plant organs. Invb1 ^*Dc1 was exclusively and strongly expressed in flower buds, and Inv ^*Dc3 at a very low level in suspension-cultured cells.