Lanying Chen^1,2, Qiumei Quan^3,*, Yunxiang Li³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 551-566, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.048103

Abstract Mediated by pollen flow, natural hybridization is deemed a crucial factor that propels speciation in floral plants. Despite the fact that the diversity of Epimedium species is concentrated mainly in Southwestern China, the potential impact of interspecific pollination on natural hybridization has yet to be empirically scrutinized. To explore this, we studied the flowering period and the visitors of flowers in three frequently overlapping Epimedium species at Jinchengshan National Forest Park, located in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. Additionally, we performed a series of pollination experiments to examine breeding systems and hybrid compatibility. Morphologically, Epimedium pubescens and Epimedium wushanense are clearly distinct… More >

Kai Luo¹, Yanbing Bai¹, Yan Jiang¹, Guiling Li¹, Min Jia¹, Yongguo He¹, Zhijun Yao¹, Ziwei Xiao¹, Xiaoqiong Liu¹, Wenjie Liu², Shanshan Yin^1,*, Zesheng Li^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.7, pp. 1975-1986, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.028232

Abstract Pollination biology studies of the endangered herbal medicines Dendrobium chrysotoxum were conducted in natural pollination conditions using flower observation, pollinator observation and artificial pollination experiments. Populations of D. chrysotoxum with fragrance and nectar were pollinated by Ctenoplectra davidi Valhalla (Hymenoptera: Apidae) species. The floral structure of D. chrysotoxum adapted precisely to its pollinators. Flowers had a low capsule setting (0.17%) under natural conditions. However, compared to open pollination, artificial pollination experiments showed a significant increase in capsule setting, and D. chrysotoxum was cross-compatible and self-compatible, but there was pollinator limitation also. This study will provide important information for the preservation… More >