Contrasting lengths of Pelargonium floral nectar tubes result from late differences in rate and duration of growth.

ABSTRACT: Background and Aims:Much of morphological evolution in flowers has arisen from pollinator-mediated selection, often manifest as a match between the length of the pollinator's proboscis and the depth of tubular corollas or spurs. We investigate development, growth and homology of the unique nectar tube of Pelargonium, frequently described as 'a spur adnate to the pedicel'. Methods:We focused on two species. The nectar tube of P. ionidiflorum is three times longer than that of P. odoratissimum. Light and scanning electron microscopy were carried out, and daily growth measurements were used to compare nectar tube development and vascular patterns. Key Results:Nectar tubes in both species are initiated centripetally to the dorsal sepal in a space created by lateral displacement of two antepeta

SUBMITTER: Tsai T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5838813 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature