FLORAL DIMORPHISM AND REPRODUCTIVE OUTPUT IN OPHIORRHIZA RADICANS GARDNER EX THWAITES (RUBIACEAE)

摘要

Distyly has been considered as a mechanism which favours cross-pollination. In the present investigation, we describe floral attributes and floral dimorphism typically associated with distylous plants in Ophiorrhiza radicans (Rubiaceae), an endangeredherb of Western Ghats. Different breeding experiments were conducted to evaluate self- and intramorph incompatibility in both the floral morphs (pin and thrum). The studied population was isoplentic and morphologically distylous but does not exhibit perfect reciprocal herkogamy. Both the floral morphs were self-incompatible and did not show much difference under controlled- pollination conditions. Further studies are needed to determine the influence of floral visitors in the expression of distyly in Ophiorrhiza radicans under natural conditions.