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Flower orientation influences floral temperature, pollinator visits and plant fitness
Author(s) -
Creux Nicky M.,
Brown Robin I.,
Garner Austin G.,
Saeed Sana,
Scher C. Lane,
Holalu Srinidhi V.,
Yang Daniel,
Maloof Julin N.,
Blackman Benjamin K.,
Harmer Stacey L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.17627
Subject(s) - pollinator , biology , outcrossing , pollen , pollination , reproductive success , pollen source , botany , ecology , population , demography , sociology
Summary Effective insect pollination requires appropriate responses to internal and external environmental cues in both the plant and the pollinator. Helianthus annuus , a highly outcrossing species, is marked for its uniform eastward orientation of mature pseudanthia, or capitula. Here we investigate how this orientation affects floral microclimate and the consequent effects on plant and pollinator interactions and reproductive fitness. We artificially manipulated sunflower capitulum orientation and temperature in both field and controlled conditions and assessed flower physiology, pollinator visits, seed traits and siring success. East‐facing capitula were found to have earlier style elongation, pollen presentation and pollinator visits compared with capitula manipulated to face west. East‐facing capitula also sired more offspring than west‐facing capitula and under some conditions produced heavier and better‐filled seeds. Local ambient temperature change on the capitulum was found to be a key factor regulating the timing of style elongation, pollen emergence and pollinator visits. These results indicate that eastward capitulum orientation helps to control daily rhythms in floral temperature, with direct consequences on the timing of style elongation and pollen emergence, pollinator visitation, and plant fitness.