Abstract

Intraspecific variation in gynoecial characters was analyzed by SEM for nine populations of Arenaria uniflora, a winter annual endemic to rock outcrops in the southeastern United States. Style lengths in self‐pollinating populations, formerly called A. alabamensis, were significantly shorter than in outcrossing populations, and style length showed a very strong correlation (r = 0.97) with outcrossing potential as assessed by degree of protandry. Selfers were also characterized by the production of fewer but longer stigmatic papillae. Papillae extended to the base of the style and diverged from all sides. Outcrossers had longer styles with dense but short papillae, mostly restricted to the upper surface of the style and lacking at its base. Styles also were observed to curl downward in outcrossers. These fine‐scale changes appear to enhance the effectiveness of plants as either outcross‐pollen or self‐pollen receivers.

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