Reproductive Biology of Rheum webbianum Royle, a Vulnerable Medicinal Herb From Alpines of North-Western Himalaya

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.699645
• Publication Date: 2022-02-17T05:36:13Z
• Authors: Ishfaq Ahmad Wani; Susheel Verma; Parvaiz Ahmad; Hamed A. El-Serehy; Maha J. Hashim
• Keywords: Anthesis; Outcrossing

Information on reproductive biology and pollination ecology studies of threatened plants are essential to develop strategies for their sustainable utilization effective conservation. As such, these were conducted Rheum webbianum, a high-value "vulnerable" medicinal herb the north-western Himalaya. This species presents unique mode behavior through involvement different floral events, including movement organs. The survive extremely cold conditions underground perennating rhizomes that sprout into juvenile shoots with onset favorable climatic conditions. peduncle arises from axils radical leaves, bearing globular collection densely arranged hermaphrodite flowers temporally separated male female phases; phase precedes (protandry). Anther dehiscence stigma receptivity is post-anthesis. Anthers dehisce longitudinally along margins, liberating large mass spherical tricolpate pollen spinulose exine. Pollen viability decreased < 10% day 9. Pistil tristylous, each style terminating fan-shaped lobe. receptive surface stigmatic lobe remains incurved at an angle 360° shows upward after anthesis, forming funnel-like structure 180° respect ovary. Pollination syndrome ambophilous. Spontaneous autogamy or geitonogamy certain extent achieved in this due arrangement inflorescence overlapping phases among them. Incurved lobes outward stamens too facilitate outcrossing. Pollen/ovule ratio estimates, results experiments breeding behavior, outcrossing, self-compatibility indices demonstrated self-compatible cross-fertile.