Flower orientation in Gloriosa superba (Colchicaceae) promotes cross-pollination via butterfly wings.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Complex modifications of angiosperm flowers often function for precise pollen placement on pollinators and to promote cross-pollination. We explore the functional significance of the unusually elaborate morphology of Gloriosa superba flowers, which are divided into one hermaphrodite meranthium and five male meranthia (functional pollination units of a single flower).

Methods

We used controlled pollination experiments, floral measurements, pollen load analyses and visitor observations in four populations of G. superba in South Africa to determine the breeding system, mechanism of pollination and role of flower in the promotion of cross-pollination.

Key results

We established that G. superba is self-compatible, but reliant on pollinators for seed pro

SUBMITTER: Daniels RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7262471 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature