Wind pollinated monocots, pollination biology

Orchidaceae Araceae Liliaceae Iridaceae

Cyperaceae Juncaceae Poaceae

Monocot phylogeny

Animal pollinated Wind pollinated

Wind pollination

•  flowers exposed/appear before leaves •  flowers often unisexual •  large numbers of small flowers, densely packed (eg. spikelets) •  individual flowers small and inconspicuous •  large quantities of pollen produced •  large feathery stigmas facilitate pollen capture

Photo by Pam Fray

Wind pollination

•  flowers exposed/appear before leaves •  flowers often unisexual •  large numbers of small flowers, densely packed (eg. spikelets) •  individual flowers small and inconspicuous •  large quantities of pollen produced •  large feathery stigmas facilitate pollen capture

(Graham et al. 2006)

Monocot phylogeny

6 genera, 400 species (Juncus, Luzula) Habit: Stems: Leaves:

Juncaceae

Juncus dichotomous Luzula multiflora

Herbaceous, aquatic or terrestrial

Round, solid pith

3-ranked, open sheath

Symmetry: Perianth parts: Stamens: Pistils: Ovary position: Fruit type:

Juncaceae

radial

6 tepals

6

1, compound (3 carpels)

superior

capsule

104 genera, 4,500 species Habit: Stems: Leaves:

Cyperaceae

Herbaceous, aquatic or terrestrial

Triangular, solid or hollow

3-ranked, closed sheath

Inflorescence:

Cyperaceae

Spikelet, subtended by a single bract

Cyperaceae

Symmetry: Perianth parts: Stamens: Pistils: Ovary position: Fruit type:

radial

Absent or reduced

1-3

1, compound (2-3 carpels)

superior

achene perigynium*

650 genera, 9,700 species

Habit: Stems: Leaves:

Note: Alternate family names with an -ae ending are accepted for a few families.

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Herbaceous

Round, hollow, jointed

2-ranked, open sheath

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Oryza sativa

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Triticum aestivum

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Zea mays

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Inflorescence: Spikelet, subtended by two bracts

palea*

lemma*

glumes*

floret*spikelet*

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Symmetry: Perianth parts: Stamens: Pistils: Ovary position: Fruit type:

bilateral

Absent or reduced

3

1, compound (2-3 carpels)

superior

caryopsis

Poaceae Cyperaceae Juncaceae

Perianth reduced to lodicules

reduced to bristles

6 tepals

Stem jointed, round, and usually hollow

triangular, solid or hollow

round, solid

Ligule present usually no ligule, but Carex is exception

absent

Fruit caryopsis achene capsule

Grasses vs. sedges vs. rushes

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/grseru2.gif

Grasses vs. sedges vs. rushes

Pollination biology

Biotic vs. Abiotic

High efficiency

High specificity

Low pollen/ovule ratio

Greater diversification

Low efficiency

Low specificity

High pollen/ovule ratio

Less diversification

Syndrome: suite of traits, developmentally unlinked, which are all related to a particular function

Pollination biology

Pollination biology

Buzz pollination •  flowers pendant •  anthers opening by terminal pores •  pollen dislodged by sonication •  often pollen reward

Moth pollination •  flowers often white, with strong fragrance •  flowers open in the evening •  nectar reward •  flowers often long and tubular

Pollination biology

Carrion fly pollination •  flowers red-purple, or brown •  flowers often close to the ground •  strong odor, like decomposing flesh

Pollination biology

Pollination biology

Hummingbird pollination •  flowers red, with tubular corollas •  flowers exposed, on long inflorescence •  large quantity of sugar-rich nectar