Part Two – Different Ways of Orchid Reproduction
Part One – Attracting Pollinators looked at pollination strategy, but the fourth aim of the paper was to establish that Corunastylis littoralis reproduced by xenogamy or geitonogamy and that the species was not autogamous or apomictic, that is, pollinated, self pollinating or non pollinating plants.
Xenogamy or geitonogamy that is vector mediated pollination or out-crossing is when fertilization occurs by the transfer of pollen from one flower to another flower usually by the means of insect.
Autogamy or self-pollinating is when the flower is pollinated by its own pollen.
Apoximis is when reproduction occurs without pollination, that is, vegetative reproduction.
As explained in the paper, there are visual clues for determining which process is used by the plant.
| Xenogmay | Autogamy | Apoximis |
| Pollinia removal and pollen deposition | Pollinia not removed | Lacks pollen or it is tightly bound |
| Pollinia weakly attached to the viscidium | If pollinia present, then unable to be removed | |
| Not all the ovaries are fertilized | All the ovaries are fertilized and have viable seeds | |
| Swelling of the ovaries can occur whilst in bud | ||
| Perfumed | Likely to have no perfume | |
| Attracts insects | ||
| Flowers short lived |
More detailed information was gained by dissecting the flower.
To read the full paper, click here.
To read the report, click here.
Thank you to Colin Bower for checking this post and for allowing the use of his photographs.
NOSSA 