Ecological relationship between floral thermogenesis and pollination in Nelumbo lutea (Nelumbonaceae).

Premise Of Study: Floral thermogenesis is an unusual floral trait with a well-documented physiological process, and yet, there is limited understanding of how this trait influences plant reproduction. The current study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of how floral thermogenesis in Nelumbo lutea impacts pollinator attraction and consequent plant reproduction.

Methods: We conducted field studies on floral thermogenesis and thermoregulation, flower sexual development, floral visitation patterns, breeding system, pollen transfer dynamics, and floral scent production.

The interaction between pollinator size and the bristle staminode of Penstemon digitalis (Scrophulariaceae).

Penstemon digitalis, a prairie species whose flowers possess a large bristle staminode, is visited by eight bee species of varying size. Two sets of field experiments involving staminode removal were performed to test pollination efficiency in relation to bee size. Our data indicate that bristle staminode presence and function are influenced by size-dependent selection on bee body size and associated pollen transporting attributes.