The function and adaptive significance of tristyly in Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae)

Abstract

Darwin proposed that the adaptive significance of tristyly is to promote insect-mediated pollination among floral morphs with anthers and stigmas at equivalent levels (legitimate pollination). Strong pollen trimorphism in Pontederia cordata enables an evaluation of this hypothesis. In an investigation of pollen flow patterns in different parts of the North American range of the species, legitimate pollination of some morphs was observed in all but one population investigated. However at only one site (Ft. McCoy, Florida) was Darwin's hypothesis confirmed for the three floral morphs. The long-styled morph most frequently exhibited legitimate pollination, the mid-styled morph was intermediate, and the short-styled morph rarely experienced legitimate pollination. Temporal variation in pollen flow was observed during the flowering season of P. cordata. Total stigmatic pollen loads decreased as the density of inflorescences and activity of pollinators declined. In spite of variable total loads the legitimate component was relatively constant in the long- and mid-styled forms, while in the short-styled form this measure increased as the season progressed. Little variation was detected between stigmatic samples collected at different times during a single day. Legitimate pollination may be inhibited by local foraging of pollinators and the spatial segregation of floral morphs. At Paugh Lake (Ontario) over 75% of all bumble bee flights are among the five nearest neighbours of a particular inflorescence. In the same population, there is a probability of over 70% that the nearest three neighbours of an inflorescence are of the same floral morph. Despite these influences, legitimate pollination occurs in P. cordata, suggesting substantial pollen carryover.