The thermal ecology of flowers

BACKGROUND: Obtaining an optimal flower temperature can be crucial for plant reproduction because temperature mediates flower growth and development, pollen and ovule viability, and influences pollinator visitation. The thermal ecology of flowers is an exciting, yet understudied field of plant biolo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of Botany
Main Authors: van der Kooi, Casper J., Kevan, Peter G., Koski, Matthew H.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2019
Subjects:
POLLEN GERMINATION
SNOW BUTTERCUP
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY
REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS
FLORAL ORIENTATION
GLASSHOUSE PLANT
SOLAR-TRACKING
HELIOTROPISM
COLOR
Snow buttercup
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/11370/c57cc32f-2a02-4a40-bf4c-84d0ab374119
https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/c57cc32f-2a02-4a40-bf4c-84d0ab374119
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz073
https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/102147081/mcz073.pdf
Description
Summary:BACKGROUND: Obtaining an optimal flower temperature can be crucial for plant reproduction because temperature mediates flower growth and development, pollen and ovule viability, and influences pollinator visitation. The thermal ecology of flowers is an exciting, yet understudied field of plant biology. SCOPE: This review focuses on several attributes that modify exogenous heat absorption and retention in flowers. We discuss how flower shape, orientation, heliotropic movements, pubescence, coloration, opening-closing movements and endogenous heating contribute to the thermal balance of flowers. Whenever the data are available, we provide quantitative estimates of how these floral attributes contribute to heating of the flower, and ultimately plant fitness. OUTLOOK: Future research should establish form-function relationships between floral phenotypes and temperature, determine the fitness effects of the floral microclimate, and identify broad ecological correlates with heat capture mechanisms.

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