The Floral Biology of Argemone Aurantiaca Ownbey and Argemone Albiflora Hornem Subsp. Texana Ownbey

The floral biology of the white prickly poppy (Argemone aurantiaca G. B. Ownbey and Argemone albiflora Hornem subsp. texana G. B. Ownbey) native to Hays County, Texas was investigated. Anthesis occurs over three consecutive days with flowers opening each morning (ca. 8:00 a.m. CDT) and closing in the late afternoon (ca. 5:00 p.m. CDT). Early morning first-day flowers are protogynous, but by late morning the numerous stamens begin to dehisce, releasing large quantities of pollen. By the end of the second-day anthers have shriveled and the stigma has become non-receptive. During the third-day the white petals as well as the yellow stamens undergo abscission. In the populations studied, Hymenoptera (e.g. Dialictus and Halictus) and Coleoptera (e.g. Euphoria and Lytta) were the most abundant and effective pollinators. Observations have revealed that Hymenoptera are effective cross-pollinators while Coleoptera facilitate self-pollination (indirect autogamy), since the beetles commonly remain for long periods of time in the same first or second-day flower. The beetles also can be found "entrapped" in flowers at night by the closure of the flower. It is suggested that the overall floral architecture (e.g. open-dish shape, large numbers of stamens, masses of pollen, etc.) as well as the floral behavior (open adaptations which facilitate by beetles. The presence of corolla is further viewed as and closing mechanism are the pollination of Argemone an ultraviolet reactive an adaptation to enhance cross-pollination by Hymenoptera.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor

Southwest Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Nichols, Diane Marie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Schneider, Edward

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Tuff, Donald
• Irvin, James

• poppies
• flowering
• pollination
• insects

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/20815

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/20815