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Flexible style that encourages outcrossing

Authors :
Qing-Jun Li
W. J. Kress
J Y Gao
Y M Xia
Z L Bai
Zaifu Xu
X B Deng
Li-Bing Zhang
Source :
Nature. 410:432-432
Publication Year :
2001
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2001.

Abstract

Despite the convenience of self-pollination (selfing) in flowering plants 1,2,3, the detrimental effects of inbreeding that follow repeated selfing3,4 have promoted strong natural selection for mating systems that ensure successful cross-fertilization (outcrossing). Here we describe a mechanism deployed by some tropical ginger flowers to avoid self-pollination — the flower moves its stigma (style), which normally acts as the pollen receptor, out of the way while its anther is releasing pollen. This cunning evasion adds to the diversity of pollination strategies that have contributed to the evolutionary success of flowering plants.

Details

ISSN :
14764687 and 00280836
Volume :
410
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Nature
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........6ef1427c81a2f7e1ea79dde0b7bc0606