Flowering biology and structure of floral nectaries in Galanthus nivalis L.

Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska,Mirosława Chwil

doi:10.5586/asbp.3486

Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska, Mirosława Chwil

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5586/asbp.3486

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Abstract

In Poland Galanthus nivalis L. is partially protected. The flowers of this species are one of the first sources of nectar and pollen for insects from February to April. The aim of this study was to present the flowering biology as well as the topography, anatomical, and ultrastructural features of the floral nectary. The flower lifespan, the breeding system, and the mass of pollen and nectar produced by the flowers were determined. Examination of the nectary structure was performed using light, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The flower of G. nivalis lives for about 30 days. The stamens and pistils mature simultaneously and during this time nectar is secreted. The anthers of one flower produced the large amount of pollen (4 mg). The breeding system of G. nivalis was found to be characterized by partial self-compatibility, outcrossing, and xenogamy. The nectary is located at the top of the inferior ovary. The nectary epidermal cells are characterized by striated cuticular ornamentation. Initially, the secreted nectar formed vesicle-like protuberances under the cuticle. The epidermal and parenchymal cells contain numerous plastids, mitochondria, dictyosomes, ER cisterns, and vesicles fused with the plasmalemma, which indicates granulocrine nectar secretion.

Highlights

The area of occurrence of Galanthus nivalis L. includes Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the mountains of the Crimea and the Caucasus as well as Minor Asia
We found that the floral nectary in G. nivalis was located at the top of the inferior ovary between the base of the tepals and the style and formed a bright layer contrasting with the green receptacle fused with the ovary
During the time of flowering, the temperature increased to +8.5°C and on most days it remained in the range of 4–7°C (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

The area of occurrence of Galanthus nivalis L. includes Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the mountains of the Crimea and the Caucasus as well as Minor Asia. G. nivalis is a species characteristic of Southern European mixed deciduous forests, dry-ground forests of the association Carpinion betuli illyricum found in the Balkan Peninsula [1]. This species is considered to be an indicator plant in phenological studies in many European countries: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the UK, in which the “first flowers open” stage is taken into consideration [2]. Galanthus nivalis was fully protected in Poland during the period 1946–2014 as a rarely encountered species. Since 2014 it has been partially protected [4]

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