The influence of the mating system on seed size variation in Crinum erubescens (Amaryllidaceae)

Abstract

Extreme seed size variation in fruits of Crinum erubescens (range 0.1-66.5g per seed) occurs when mating pairs are inbred, either from selfing or biparental inbreeding. Several relatively uniform seeds of intermediate size are produced when pollen from several pollen donors is applied simultaneously to a flower. Selfed fruits and some fruits pollinated with a single pollen donor produce both large and small seeds, although selfed fruits produce fewer seeds than outcrossed fruit. -from Authors