Petal Color, Flower Temperature, and Behavior in an Alpine Annual Herb, Gentiana leucomelaena (Gentianaceae)

• DOI: 10.1657/1938-4246-42.2.219
• Publication Date: 2010-05-19T16:17:35Z
• Authors: Junpeng Mu; Guoyong Li; Shucun Sun
• Keywords: Gentianaceae; Petal; Darkness; Herbaceous plant; Gentiana; Flor

Gentiana leucomelaena (Gentianaceae), an alpine herbaceous species of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, has two colors flowers (blue and white) that bloom in early spring. In order to determine effect petal color on flower interior temperature behavior gentian, we investigated differences timing opening closure blooming between colors, while recording ambient temperature, light intensity, relative humidity over flowering season from March May 2009. When were open, anther was higher white than blue various weather patterns; particular it about 2 °C sunny days. Relative 1.27 flowers, but 0.41 lower flowers. Compared opened later closed earlier day at a temperature. The two-factor two-level experiment (10 vs. 20 10,000 lux darkness) indicates is factor eventually determining rates, may accelerate same dye experiment, which painted with red purple food coloring, showed had earlier, ones. These results suggest affected by both species. addition, surveyed percentages field during also experimentally placed individuals buds into growth chambers contrasting day/night temperatures (12 °C/2 °C, 15 °C), so as examine frequency. A greater proportion emerged stage low-temperature chambers, ones dominated late high-temperature chambers. This suggests differentiation associated different strategies adaptation might have allowed for polymorphism.