Comparison of floral morphology and pollination characteristics between the sexes inEurya obtusifolia

Abstract

Flowering and pollination are important processes for reproduction of flowering plants, especially for the dioecious ones. Until now, flowering and pollination of Eurya plants have not been reported. Plants of this genus are described as dioecy in most of the literatures. Hermaphrodite flowers had only been reported in Eurya japonica Thunb.. In our recent study, gender variation was found in Eurya obtusifolia H. T. Chang, as well as hermaphrodite flowers. After primary investigation of its floral structure and function gender, floral morphology and pollination characteristics were studied in detail through field and lab. observation. We set four plots in Beibei District, Chongqing (one plot at Xishanpin, three others at Jinyun Mountain). Indicators related to floral morphology and pollination, such as size of flower structures, flower orientation, pollen viability, stigma