Sexual reproduction in British populations of Adoxa moschatellina L.

摘要

Adoxa moschatellina L. is a small perennial herb found mainly in damp woodlands. Little is known about the ecology and biology of this species. The aim of this investigation was to examine seed production and the factors that influence seed set in natural populations in Worcestershire and Shropshire. Phenological studies in this species suggest the possibility of limited protogyny. Self-pollination within an inflorescence is likely, due to the overlap in anther maturation within the several flowers in an inflorescence, coupled with the foraging behaviour of the pollinators. This species is apparently adapted for pollination by small flying insects, mainly Diptera; caddis flies and moths also appear to be acting as pollinators. Potential seed set wasless than 10% of that possible Very few (about 20%) inflorescences survived to fruit This loss of reproductive potential can be explained in terms of herbivore activity and pathogens. Of the inflorescences that did survive until mid-late June, very few(10%) produced seed. This may be due to a sporophytic and/or late acting self-incompatibility mechanism. Pollen viability (68%) does not appear to be a limiting factor.