Reproductive ecology and postpollination development in the hydrophilous monocot Ruppia maritima.

Premise: Water-pollination (hydrophily) is a rare but important pollination mechanism that has allowed angiosperms to colonize marine and aquatic habitats. Hydrophilous plants face unique reproductive challenges, and many have evolved characteristic pollen traits and pollination strategies that may have downstream consequences for pollen performance. However, little is known about reproductive development in the life history stage between pollination and fertilization (the progamic phase) in hydrophilous plants.