Reproductive efficiency of Crotalaria mysorensis – a vesperal weed of subtropics

Abstract

An evolutionary changeover between mating systems comes about frequently and independently in flowering plants. Crotalaria mysorensis Roth., an annual weed growing wild in the subtropical regimes of northwestern Himalaya, displays this shift effectively. The species appears as an outbreeder on the basis of its floral architecture. Floral phenological events, however, confirm it to be a strict inbreeder because of its vesperal nature and brief blooming period. This mating strategy provides reproductive assurance to the species, but with low seed germination.