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The role of post‐floral persistent perianth in Helleborus viridis subsp. occidentalis (Ranunculaceae)
Author(s) -
Guitián Javier,
Larrinaga Asier R.
Publication year - 2014
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/njb.00523
Subject(s) - perianth , ranunculaceae , sepal , biology , botany , stamen , pollen
Species within the genus Helleborus differ in the relative location of their sepals. Previous studies have proved the existence of post‐floral functionality of sepals in H. foetidus , which leads us to consider the possibility of differences in the functionality of the sepals in H. viridis subsp. occidentalis . In this study, we analyzed their influence on the number and weight of seeds through experimental manipulations, which involve a progressive reduction of sepals following fertilization. Our results show that different levels of perianth reduction have no effect on the number and weight of seeds in Helleborus viridis subsp. occidentalis . We propose that differences in the timing of leaf development and changes in the position of floral organs among the different Helleborus species, underlie a distinctive response to the ever‐changing weather conditions of the European winters and springs.