Pollination: flexible style that encourages outcrossing.

Abstract

Despite the convenience of self-pollination (selfing) in flowering plants 1,2,3, the detrimental effects of inbreeding that follow repeated selfing3,4 have promoted strong natural selection for mating systems that ensure successful cross-fertilization (outcrossing). Here we describe a mechanism deployed by some tropical ginger flowers to avoid self-pollination — the flower moves its stigma (style), which normally acts as the pollen receptor, out of the way while its anther is releasing pollen. This cunning evasion adds to the diversity of pollination strategies that have contributed to the evolutionary success of flowering plants.