| Abstract Detail
Pollination Biology Wilson, Denise C. [1], Bruederle, Leo [2]. Pollination Biology of the Stream Orchid, Epipactis gigantea (Orchidaceae), at three Elevations in Colorado. An understanding of a species’ breeding system is essential to the conservation of rare plants. This research characterized the breeding system, visitor guild, and effective pollinators for Epipactis gigantea Dougl. ex Hook (Orchidaceae) at three Colorado sites differing in elevation. Results from a breeding system experiment revealed statistically significant differences in success as measured by fruit set across treatment groups. Epipactis gigantea was observed to be protandrous and self-compatible, with 59% of all self-pollinations setting fruit. Out-crossing was most successful (72%) and differed from hand-pollinations involving donor pollen from another flower on the same plant or geitonogamy (63%) and the control (62%). The visitor guild comprised a variety of flies, beetles, bees, ants, and spiders. Although E. gigantea was visited most often by ants, specifically, Formica neogagates, six species of syrphid flies were found to be effective pollinators, the most frequent being Sphaerophoria philanthus. Time lapse photography further documented pollination by syrphid flies, which deposit pollen (not entire pollinium) on the stigmas of several flowers along the same raceme.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - University of Colorado Denver, Masters of integrated Science, Campus Box 144, PO Box 173364, Denver, CO, 80217-3364, USA
2 - University of Colorado Denver, Department of Biology, Campus Box 171, PO Box 173364, Denver, CO, 80217-3364, USA
Keywords:
Epipactis gigantea
pollination biology
stream orchid
orchid
Colorado
elevations
breeding system
conservation
protandrous
Self-compatible
geitonogamy
autogamy
syrphid.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P2
Location: Event Tent/Cliff Lodge
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: P2PL006
Abstract ID:477 |
