Flowering and nectar and pollen flow in Geranium sanguineum L., Geraniaceae

Abstract

This 3-year study examined the seasonal and daily dynamics of blooming, as well as the nectar and pollen production in <i>Geranium sanguineum</i> L. Moreover, the type and localization of floral nectaries were observed using LM and SEM, and measurements of pollen grains were performed. The visitation of insects on flowers was monitored, too. <i>Geranium sanguineum</i> bloomed from the beginning of May until the middle of July with the peak occurring between the second and the fifth week of flowering period. Most of the flower buds opened on plants in the afternoon hours. Flowers are protandrous. In a flower, nectar is secreted by five phanarothetic-discoid nectaries and it flows through modified stomata. It was found that one gland is bigger than the others. Ten flowers produced 30.58 mg of highly concentrated nectar, on average. The mean mass of total sugars secreted in nectar per 10 flowers was 7.94 mg. Pollen mass per 10 flowers was 23.14 mg, on average. Tricolpate, spherical pollen grains can be classified as very big size (sporae permagne). Flowers of <i>G. sanguineum</i> were visited mainly by honey bees, bumble bees and flies. Insects collected mainly nectar.