Lanying Chen1,2, Qiumei Quan3,*, Yunxiang Li3
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 551-566, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.048103
- 28 March 2024
Abstract Mediated by pollen flow, natural hybridization is deemed a crucial factor that propels speciation in floral plants. Despite the fact that the diversity of Epimedium species is concentrated mainly in Southwestern China, the potential impact of interspecific pollination on natural hybridization has yet to be empirically scrutinized. To explore this, we studied the flowering period and the visitors of flowers in three frequently overlapping Epimedium species at Jinchengshan National Forest Park, located in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. Additionally, we performed a series of pollination experiments to examine breeding systems and hybrid compatibility. Morphologically, Epimedium pubescens and Epimedium wushanense are… More >