Open AccessTaxonomy and breeding system in a new species of Scrophularia L. (Scrophulariaceae) from Morocco
Author(s) -
ORTEGAOLIVENCIA ANA,
DEVESA JUAN A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1998.tb02115.x
Subject(s) - biology , scrophulariaceae , pollen , pollinator , pollination , botany , nectar , zoology
A new species of the genus Scrophularia, S. fontqueri Ortega‐Olivencia & Devesa, is described for the Western Rif mountains in Morocco. Similarities and differences with the most closely related species (S. auriculata Loefl. ex L. and S. viciosoi Ortega‐Olivencia & Devesa) are indicated, and ecological and distribution data are provided. The new species displays a high degree of polyploidy (2n = 56), and has palynological characteristics similar to those of other species in this genus. The new species shows protogynous dichogamy and produces considerable amounts of nectar in both sexual phases. Nectar secretion was maximum during the early hours of the morning. Mean longevity of the flowers was 2.66 days. Both nectar secretion and floral longevity correlated strongly with mean daytime air temperature. Pollination experiments showed that interaction with pollinators is necessary for reproduction, and gametophytic homomorphic self‐incompatibility was documented. This feature was confirmed by observation of pollen tubes after hand self‐pollination. The seed/ovule ratio was very low.