ISSN:
1442-1984
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Corydalis caseana ssp. brandegei (Fumariaceae) is a perennial plant that grows in moist, subalpine regions of south central Colorado, USA. Prior to this study, nothing was known of its reproductive biology. The most numerous visitors (59%), and the only known pollinators, were long-tongued bumblebees (Bombus appositus). Twenty-nine percent of visits were from short-tongued nectar-robbing bumblebees (Bombus occidentalis). Hummingbirds also visited the flowers but they did not pollinate them. Corydalis caseana flowers remained open and in good condition for approximately 4 days. During that time, in the absence of visitors, nectar containing 35% sugar accumulated at a rate of approximately 1 μL per day. Corydalis caseana has a mixed-mating system. It is self-fertile, but the self-fertilized flowers produce fewer seeds per fruit than the outcrossed flowers (a mean of 2.9 compared with a mean of 4.7). Results suggest a possibility of inbreeding depression.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-1984.2000.00047.x
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