Mirror image flowers and their effect on outcrossing rate in Chamaecrista fasciculata (Leguminosae)

Abstract

The influence of enantiostyly (reciprocal segregation of anthers and stigmas to different sides of the flower) on outcrossing rate was examined in Chamaecrista fasciculata (Leguminosae). I hypothesized that enantiostyly has not evolved to increase the female component of outcrossing and actually acts to increase the selling rate through geitonogamy. To quantify the role of enantiostyly to outcrossing, plants of known isozyme genotype were manipulated to be either completely left‐ or right‐styled (nonenantiostylous) or to have equal numbers of left‐ and right‐styled flowers (enantiostylous). Flower number was varied to quantify any interaction between floral display size and enantiostyly on outcrossing rate. These “target” plants were surrounded by unmanipulated plants homozygous for the alternative allele. Outcrossing rates of the target plants were determined by scoring the presence or absence of heterozygotes. The contribution of enantiostyly to geitonogamy may be reduced if pollinators discriminate among the floral types. Thus, observations of pollinator movement between flowers on the same plant were made to determine if pollinators discriminate between the floral types. Although pollinators moved randomly between flower types, outcrossing rate was only marginally effected by the presence of enantiostyly. Enantiostylous plants outcrossed at a slightly lower rate than nonenantiostylous plants only when the opportunity for geitonogamy was great. These results suggest that the contribution of enantiostyly to selling is minimal.