AOBPreview originally published online on May 30, 2006
Annals of Botany 2006 98(2):459-464; doi:10.1093/aob/mcl121
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Oxalis debilis in China: Distribution of Flower Morphs, Sterile Pollen and Polyploidy
1 South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China and 2 Department of Biology, Ludwig Maximilians University, D-80638 Munich, Germany
* For correspondence. E-mail dx-zhang{at}scbg.ac.cn
Received: 25 February 2006 Returned for revision: 28 March 2006 Accepted: 12 April 2006 Published electronically: 30 May 2006
Background and Aims Oxalis debilis is a South American tristylous species that is currently naturalizing in China. Based on field observations and herbarium data a report is made on its pollination, morph frequencies, pollen viability, seed set and chromosome number. In addition, a new chromosome count for the species in Africa is provided.
Methods Field observations were conducted in six provinces in south-east China. Flower visitors were recorded and nectar sugar was measured with a refractometer. The species' compatibility system was determined by carrying out experimental self- and cross-pollinations on bagged inflorescences. Stigma receptivity and pollen viability was determined using the MTT test.
Key Results and Conclusions Populations of O. debilis in China contain either the mid-style-length morph or the short morph, but not both. Pollination is by nectar- and pollen-foraging bees; pollen viability is low; and seed set in natural and experimentally self- or cross-pollinated flowers is extremely low. Chromosome counts indicate that O. debilis contains diploid and tetraploid forms in its native as well as introduced range, which does not support a previous hypothesis that the predominant vegetative reproduction in this species is an escape from pentaploidy.
Key words: Introduced species, Oxalis, male sterility, pollen viability, chromosome counts, vegetative reproduction
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