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Aspects of reproduction in Pulsatilla pratensis in Norway
Author(s) -
Torvik Solbjerg Engen,
Borgen Liv,
Berg Rolf Y.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
nordic journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1756-1051
pISSN - 0107-055X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-1051.1998.tb01515.x
Subject(s) - biology , selfing , pollinator , population , pollination , nectar , botany , pollen , ecology , demography , sociology
Breeding system and pollinator activity were studied in two Norwegian populations of Pulsatilla pratensis : a small outpost population, on Hovedøya in Oslo, and a large population located centrally within the main area of this species in Norway, on Sandøya in Tjøme, Vestfold. One objective was to assess, if possible, the chance of survival of the outpost population. Pulsatilla pratensis is not completely self incompatible, since artificial selfing produced a small amount of seed. However, spontaneous selfing does not occur. Pollination is accomplished by insects, almost exclusively bumble bees ( Bombus spp.). Nectar thievery resulted when the bumble bee inserted its proboscis from outside the flower in between the tepals (base working). A comparison between the two populations indicates that pollinator scarcity at the time of flowering possibly might constitute a limiting factor for recruitment in the outpost population.