Abstract
<i>Eranthis hyemalis</i> belongs to the Ranunculaceae family whose representatives enrich early spring pollen flow and nectar for pollinating insects. Flowering biology and morphological characteristics flowers of winter aconite were studied. The forage value was estimated as the rate of nectar production. Observations were carried out between 2008 and 2011 in the Botanical Garden of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University located in the Lublin area. In the conditions of Lublin, flowering of winter aconite plants started at the beginning of February and lasted until the end of March. The seasonal bloom dynamics was strongly affected by maximum temperatures, which intensified flower blooming, and snowfalls which hampered this process. During the day, flowers opened between 8.00 am and 3.00 pm, but the highest intensity was between 10.00 am and 12.00 am. The process of pollen release, with the average number of 29 stamens shedding pollen in the flowers, lasted from 2 to 3 days. During the day the largest number of anthers opened at noon hours, between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm, though a certain rise in this number was also observed in the morning hours between 8.00 and 9.00 am. <i>Eranthis hyemalis</i> flowers develop funnel-shaped nectaries, on average 3-6 per flower. The determined amount of nectar per flower was 1.23 mg, while the concentration of sugars in it averaged 72.11%. The weight of nectar sugar per flower was 0.88 mg.
Highlights
The genus Eranthis Salisb. of the Ranunculaceae family occurs in the wild in Europe and Asia (Walters et al 1989; Szweykowscy, 2003)
The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of flowering and pollen release of winter aconite cultivated in gardens, which can be an excellent supplement to the food resource for bees waking up in the spring
Winter aconite self-propagates through seeds, which readily germinate shortly after they are shed from the follicles (Fig. 2a), provided that there is adequate moisture in the soil
Summary
The genus Eranthis Salisb. of the Ranunculaceae family occurs in the wild in Europe and Asia (Walters et al 1989; Szweykowscy , 2003). Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) occurs in the wild in Europe from the south-eastern part of France to Bulgaria (Szweykowscy , 2002) It comes from the fertile forests of France, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia (Polunin , 1969; Erhardt et al 2002). It has been cultivated since 1570 (Marcinkowski , 2002) and has become widespread all over Europe (Tutin et al 1964; Walters et al 1989). In Poland winter aconite occurs sporadically in the western part of the country as a feral plant (Szweykowscy , 2003) It is mentioned among ephemerophytes (Mirek et al 2002). It perfectly reproduces vegetatively by tubers and is not difficult in cultivation (Marcinkowski , 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
