The production of a key floral volatile is dependent on UV light in a sexually deceptive orchid.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Plants use a diverse range of visual and olfactory cues to advertize to pollinators. Australian Chiloglottis orchids employ one to three related chemical variants, all 2,5-dialkylcyclohexane-1,3-diones or 'chiloglottones' to sexually attract their specific male pollinators. Here an investigation was made of the physiological aspects of chiloglottone synthesis and storage that have not previously been examined.

Methods

The location of chiloglottone production was determined and developmental and diurnal changes by GC-MS analysis of floral tissue extracts was monitored in two distantly related Chiloglottis species. Light treatment experiments were also performed using depleted flowers to evaluate if sunlight is required for chiloglottone production; which s

SUBMITTER: Falara V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3523645 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature