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Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng is a known medicinal plant producing agarwood. To date, studies on the floral biology of A. sinensis have been limited. In this study, the floral micro- and ultra-structures, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and artificial pollination of A. sinensis were investigated. The results show that the flower's development can be divided into five stages, including the flower bud differentiation stage (2–7 d), the flower bud stage (7–13 d), the flowering stage (14 d), the pollination stage (14–15 d), and the fruiting stage (15–25 d). The floral organs mainly include: 4–6 split calyces, 10 petals, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. The anther is oblong, with four pollen sacs the pollen is round, with maximum viability 6 h after flowering; and stigma receptivity is at its best 6 h before flowering. Artificial pollination is successful in the field. These findings will provide useful information for producing and breeding A. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipomoea triloba L., an annual twining herb, is considered an alien invasive species and is distributed all around the globe including tropical Asia. It affects the yield of various economically important crops. Studies on floral phenology and reproductive biology are fundamental for the development of management strategies and the conservation of plants. Hence, we investigated the phenology, floral biology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, pollination mechanism, and reproductive success of I. triloba at two different locations in one of the global biodiversity hotspots. Floral anthesis was diurnal, starting at 6:30 a.m. and lasting until 7:00 a.m. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity were found to coincide, thus suggesting the species was homogamous. The flowers were mostly visited and pollinated by sweat bees (Halictidae), blue‐banded bees (Amegilla sp.), flies (Mesembrius sp.), and butterflies (Appias olferna, Pelopidas agna, and Zizina otis). Further, the pollinator visitation frequency showed a moderately positive correlation with the number of open flowers in both study populations. The plant produced fruits in the absence of pollinators in self‐pollination treatments, indicating a self‐compatible breeding system and dependency on insect pollination for reproductive success. Further, pollen supplementation significantly enhanced the fruit setting and mean seed per fruit at both study sites, suggesting pollen limitation. Additionally, pollen production and pollen/ovule ratio also indicated the facultative autogamous breeding system in I. triloba. Overall, these reproductive characteristics such as mixed mating systems and generalist insect visitation may allow the invasive I. triloba to establish new populations from low numbers of propagules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The flower visitation and seed set of S. daiguii in the TNFP was scarcely affected by biotic factors. • Seed set in the ZEFR was affected by serious pollen limitation. • Presence of fountains and increased humidity reduced the pollinator types, visitation frequency, and natural seed set of TNFP. • Higher daily temperatures reduced the pollinator abundance and visitation frequency in ZEFR. Salvia constitutes one of the largest genera in the Lamiaceae, with approximately 1,000 species found worldwide, and is recognized for its high ornamental and medicinal value. Salvia daiguii is a multipurpose perennial herb that grows on cliffs in the Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. Nevertheless, the pollination biology of vulnerable plants on cliffs, specifically the effects of abiotic factors on flower visitation and seed set, remains poorly understood. In this study, we observed the effects of biotic factors: flowering phenology and flower characteristics, flower longevity, nectar volume and concentration, pollen viability and stigma receptivity, pollinator visitation frequency, pollen remaining and deposition, and breeding systems, as well as abiotic factors: habitat fountain, temperature, and humidity, on the pollination and seed production of S. daiguii in two populations in Zhangjiajie City. The pollination biology results reveal that S. daiguii has a mixed mating system that depends on pollinators. The flower visitation and seed set of S. daiguii in the absence of natural fountain areas in Tianmenshan National Forest Park was scarcely affected by biotic factors. However, we observed a significant reduction in pollinator types, visitation frequency, and natural seed set of this population owing to abiotic factors, including the presence of a fountain habitat and increased humidity. Further, seed set in the Zhangjiaxi Ecological Forest Reserve was affected by both biotic (serious pollen limitation) and abiotic (higher population temperature) factors. We considered that pollinators types, flower visitation frequency, and natural seed set are vulnerable to the influence of ecological factors in fragmented habitats. Our results reveal the mechanisms contributing to the endangerment of species exemplified by S. daiguii and underscore the significance of conservation efforts for the sustainable use of other endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Aids breeding initiatives and medicinal plant species preservation. • Supports forest conservation and management. • Facilitates human-facilitated cross-pollination for fruit/seed set cross-pollination. • Crucial for evolutionary ecological study, conservation strategies, and habitat restoration. Understanding a species' reproductive biology, which encompasses floral biology, pollination biology, and breeding system, is necessary for the restoration of endangered plant species. Buchanania lanzan is a vulnerable evergreen tree in IUCN Red Data Book due to excessive deforestation and over-exploitation. Light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis were used to study floral and pollination biology. Experiments were conducted to study floral and pollination biology, including pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and pollen-pistil interactions. Bisexual, pentamerous, complete yellowish-white flowers have an annual growth of 11 months and are arranged in terminal and axillary panicles. Anthers dehisce between 10.30 and noon, 9–10 h after anthesis. Stigmas were receptive at the time of anther dehiscence and remained receptive for two days. The flowers contain sucrose-rich nectar and emit a mild scent to attract visitors, including Musca domestica, Apis cerena indica, and black ants. None of these visitors appeared to be an effective pollinator. The results of pollination trials showed that the species outcrosses with low levels of selfing. Cross-pollinated flowers had a higher percentage of fruit sets (74.4 %) compared to self-pollinated (43.4 %) and open (3 %). The index of self-incompatibility (ISI) indicates partial self-incompatibility. Due to the probable loss of pollinators or the lack of efficient pollinators, the natural population of B. lanzan has not yet been restored. To achieve the required fruit or seed set cross-pollination facilitated by humans would be a feasible technique. Therefore, to prevent the extinction of this species, human management is required in terms of cross-pollination. As a result, the scientific knowledge produced by the current study may prove helpful in various breeding initiatives and the preservation of this medicinal plant species. Further, this knowledge forms the basis for taking measures for the conservation and management of forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 36 parameters with regard to floral biology of lucerne was recorded. The number of days taken for complete anthesis of florets in the inflorescence ranged from 15-17 days. Anther dehiscence was observed after 1 to 72 hr of the anthesis and the pollen grains were viable from 1 to 120 hr after anthesis. The stigma receptivity was observed 54 hr before anthesis and continued upto 96 hr after anthesis. The scientific facts of floral biology helped to determine the type and mechanism of pollination required. Among the dominant floral visitors, Amegilla zonata (38 florets/4 bees) visited maximum number of florets and Apis florea (46.75 seconds/floret) spent maximum forging duration for collection of floral rewards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]