Pollination ecology of the pre-Pyrenean endemic Petrocoptis montsicciana (Caryophyllaceae): effects of population size

Abstract

We examined variation in the floral morphology of Petrocoptis grandiflora Rothm. (Caryophyllaceae), a plant endemic to the northwest Iberian Peninsula. First, we investigated whether peduncle length, calyx length and petal-limb length influence reproductive success (as measured by seed production). Second, we investigated whether floral morphology varies with position in the inflorescence and/or among the six populations studied. Peduncle length and calyx length showed no significant relationship with seed production; however, petal-limb length was significantly and positively correlated with the number of seeds produced by the flower. All three morphometric characters, and the number of ovules per ovary, varied significantly with position in the inflorescence, but not among populations.