克隆植物的无性与有性繁殖对策

许多植物同时具有克隆生长与有性繁殖,两种繁殖方式间的平衡在不同物种间以及同一物种内不同种群间变化很大。旺盛的克隆生长可能会从多方面影响生活史进化。首先,许多克隆植物的有性繁殖与更新程度都很低,甚至有一些植物由于克隆生长而几乎完全放弃了有性过程,从而影响到克隆植物对局域环境的适应和地理范围进化。其次,克隆生长增大花展示进而增加了对传粉者的吸引,同时也增加了同株异花授粉的风险,而同株异花授粉往往会导致植物雄性和雌性适合度的下降。因此,克隆植物的空间结构与交配方式间可能存在着协同进化关系。最后,克隆生长与有性繁殖间可能存在着权衡关系:对克隆生长的资源投入将会减少对有性繁殖的资源投入。这种权衡关系可能是由环境条件、竞争力度、植物寿命和遗传等因素决定的。如果不同的繁殖方式是植物在不同环境下采取的适应性对策,那么我们可以预期:在波动和竞争力度大的生境中,植物应将大部分的繁殖资源分配给有性繁殖;而在相对稳定的环境中,克隆繁殖应该占据优势地位。但是自然选择对两种繁殖方式的选择结果是什么,以及控制这两种方式间平衡的生态和遗传因子究竟有哪些,到底是克隆生长单向地影响了植物的有性繁殖,还是与有性过程相伴随的选择压力同时塑造了植物的克隆习性?目前尚不清楚。同时从无性与有性繁殖两个方面综合考察克隆植物的繁殖对策是今后亟待加强的工作。     

芳香石豆兰的繁殖生态学

芳香石豆兰(Bulbophyllum ambrosia)是分布于我国南方石灰岩山热带季节性雨林中的一种常见附生兰科植物, 附着生长于岩石或树干上, 野外监测发现其自然不结实。对芳香石豆兰繁殖生态学的研究表明, 不同于石豆兰属其他具有蝇类传粉综合征的种类, 其花具有香味和花蜜, 中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)是芳香石豆兰唯一的有效传粉者, 具有较高的访问频率, 自然种群中有较高的花粉块移出率和柱头花粉块沉降率, 在中华蜜蜂的传粉过程中, 芳香石豆兰铰链结构的唇瓣起着重要作用。人工授粉试验表明, 芳香石豆兰自交授粉不结实, 异交授粉结实率达90%以上, 芳香石豆兰为自交不亲和的繁育系统。芳香石豆兰具有较强的克隆生长能力, 同一个体花期内有大量的花同时开放, 其传粉者中华蜜蜂平均单次访花(4.29 ± 0.40)朵( n= 66), 造成了严重的同株异花传粉。芳香石豆兰附生于石灰岩山顶岩石或树干上, 种群密度较低, 使得不同个体之间花粉交流困难, 自交不亲和的特性导致了芳香石豆兰自然不结实。本研究结果为开展芳香石豆兰的有效保护提供了依据。     

入侵植物剑叶金鸡菊的繁殖特征及其与入侵性之间的关系

入侵植物剑叶金鸡菊(Coreopsis lanceolata)既可进行有性繁殖, 又能进行克隆繁殖, 其繁殖特征可能对其入侵性具有重要影响, 然而目前相关研究较少。通过观测剑叶金鸡菊的花序开花动态、交配系统、种子萌发特性等有性繁殖特征及克隆繁殖特征, 研究了上述繁殖特性及其与入侵性之间的关系。结果表明, 剑叶金鸡菊每年4月下旬开始现蕾, 5-11月为花果期。单个花序的花期为5-6天, 至果实成熟开裂约18天。单个花序自交及同株异花授粉不亲和, 为异株异花授粉的异交型, 其花粉-胚珠比(P/O比)为103 549.40 ± 7 162.44。花序高花粉活力及本地蜂传粉行为保障了花粉资源, 因而结实率高达12 000粒∙株^-1。自然条件下其种子的萌发率高达50%以上, 且2-3天即可萌发。剑叶金鸡菊克隆繁殖能力非常强, 整个生长季节均可见从根蘖长出的密集型克隆分株, 8月下旬开始出现游击型克隆生长, 通过密集型和游击型克隆生长, 剑叶金鸡菊排斥其他物种形成单优种群。上述研究结果说明, 剑叶金鸡菊的入侵性与其繁殖特征密切相关。     

贠建全:广东荷包岛维管束植物名录

以分布于秦岭的金花忍冬（Lonicera chrysantha Turcz.）、忍冬（L.japonica Thunb.）、葱皮忍冬（L.ferdinandii Franch.）和金银忍冬（L.maackii（Rupr.）Maxim.）为对象,通过定位观察、人工授粉实验、人为设置实验斑块的方法对忍冬属4种植物的开花生物学特性、繁育系统、花色变化现象、传粉过程进行了研究。结果表明,4种植物的单花花期、花部特征存在差异。人工授粉实验显示,4种植物均存在一定的花粉限制,自交不亲和。除葱皮忍冬外,其余3种植物随着花色由白变黄,花粉和花蜜报酬减少、雌雄生殖能力逐渐降低;葱皮忍冬花变色后花蜜量变化不显著,且仍保留较强的雌性生殖能力。变色花的保留被认为是植物的一种生殖策略,通过增大植物的花展示来扩大自身的吸引力,以吸引更多远距传粉者访花。人为控制白、黄花不同数量比的实验结果表明,大多数传粉者偏向访问白花（变色前的花）,且白花提供的报酬量和黄花（变色后的花）数量显著影响传粉者的访花频率,即当花蜜量减少或黄花数量增多时,传粉者访花频率随之降低。因此,我们认为忍冬属4种植物的花色变化可能除了增大植物对远距传粉者的吸引力外,对近距传粉者的访花行为也可能具有一定的影响。当传粉者接近植株时,变色后的花可能暗示其花蜜（花粉）报酬已经发生变化,并驱使昆虫离开并飞向同株或异株植物新开放的报酬丰富的白花,这既有利于提高传粉者的觅食效率,又能降低植物同株异花授粉的几率,对忍冬属植物及传粉者都具有重要意义,是植物长期与授粉昆虫相互适应的反映。     

玉蝉花繁殖生态学研究

通过野外调查、人工授粉和室内种子萌发实验等,对天目山玉蝉花（Iris ensata）种群繁殖生态特征进行了研究。结果显示：玉蝉花自然种群呈聚集型分布,种群更新主要依赖贡献率为0.756的无性繁殖。人工同瓣和异瓣自花授粉座果率分别为10%和20%,结实数分别为0和4±1（n=2）粒/果;同株和异株异花授粉座果率分别为80%和100%,结实数分别为59±7（n=8）和64±9（n=10）粒/果,自交主要来自同株异花授粉,而同株花异熟、雌雄异位和异向等可有效降低自交。自然套袋不结实,不存在无融合生殖。花粉/胚珠比1277±270（n=10）,辅证玉蝉花为兼性异花授粉、异花授粉植物。有效授粉昆虫为蜜蜂（Apismellifica）,访花频率为0.019次.花-1.h-1,单只蜜蜂回访同朵花的比率为3.5%。自然种群立地种子数估算值为368粒/m2,种子宿存,具非深度生理休眠,萌发需光,低温层积60d萌发率达94.9±0.7%。玉蝉花种群繁殖适应对策为k对策,具备自我维持机制,但现正受人为干扰。     

多叶斑叶兰繁育系统与传粉生物学研究

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera folisa)的繁育系统与传粉生物学特征,对其开花物候、花粉活力与柱头可授性、人工授粉、花的挥发性成分以及昆虫传粉行为进行了研究。结果表明,多叶斑叶兰的唇瓣黄色,萼片白色或白色带红褐色;单花花期为(9.4±0.8)d;花粉在开花后第1天具备活力,柱头在开花后第2天具备可授性,花粉活力和柱头可授性都在开花后第5天达到峰值。去雄套袋和不去雄套袋都不能结实,人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的结实率分别为93.3%、95.0%和96.7%,自然结实率为43.3%。花朵的主要挥发性成分为1-辛烯-3-醇、3-辛醇和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。多叶斑叶兰传粉者为中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)。多叶斑叶兰具有自交亲和能力,但在自然界不具有主动自交现象,必须依赖中华蜜蜂传粉,花色及花香气味为吸引传粉者的主要因素。     

少花柊叶传粉生物学的研究

竹芋科Marantaceae植物所具有的雄蕊先熟(protandry)、次级花粉展示(secondary pollen presentation)以及不可逆转的爆发性花柱运动(explosive style movement)等特点,造就了其独特的传粉机制.本文对竹芋科多年生草本植物少花格叶Phrynium oliganthum的花生物学特性、传粉操控实验和传粉者行为观察三个方面做了较为系统的研究,以掌握该植物基本的开花行为及繁殖特性.实验结果表明,少花格叶自交亲和,但不存在自动自交机制,其传粉过程依赖于传粉者.传粉者为每天沿固定路线访花、被称为有序觅食者(trapliner)的独居蜂类(无垫蜂Amegilla spp.).在传粉实验中,无论是人工授粉还是自然状态下坐果率都很低(<10%),这可能是由于资源限制以及严重的花序腐烂及虫食.少花柊叶每天开花数约11朵,但并不同步,而是在4h内逐次开放,这种开花格局连同传粉者在一天之内会重复同一线路的拜访特点,有利于少花格叶在一定程度上减少同株异花授粉的发生,增加异交的机会.     

蛛网萼开花物候、花部特征及繁育系统研究

为探讨蛛网萼(Platycrater arguta)传粉生物学特性,该研究以江西上饶广丰铜钹山国家级自然保护区、江西阳际峰国家级自然保护区蛛网萼为材料,采用野外观察和人工授粉等方法,对蛛网萼开花物候、花部形态及繁育系统进行了研究。结果表明:(1)蛛网萼为伞形花序,种群花期一般在6月中下旬至8月中旬,单花花期为2~3 d,花序花期持续10 d。两个保护区由于年均温度与光照的不同,花期进程有显著不同。(2)蛛网萼可孕花与不孕花从绿色变为白色时对访花昆虫有吸引作用,不孕花能够增加昆虫的访花频率。(3)蛛网萼花粉胚珠比(P/O)为2 520~3 100,杂交指数即是3或4。(4)繁育体系属于以异交为主,部分自交亲和,需要传粉者;熊蜂(Bombus sp.)、四条蜂(Apis florea)和油茶地蜂(Andrena cammelia)是蛛网萼的有效传粉昆虫。(5)套袋和人工授粉结果显示,蛛网萼为兼性自交和异交授粉,异株异花授粉能显著提高坐果率及结籽率,这主要与生境中有效传粉昆虫种类、数量少,花粉传递效率低,种群间基因流交流降低以及柱头自花及同株异花传粉等有关,从而表明在蛛网萼现有生境中植株的早期生殖成功受到影响。蛛网萼种群分布范围扩张以有性繁殖为主,无性繁殖作为重要补充及繁殖保障。     

传粉对杭州石荠苎（唇形科）结实的影响

杭州石荠苎（ＭｏｓｌａｈａｎｇｃｈｏｕｅｎｓｉｓＭａｔｓｕｄａ）自交亲和,人工自花授粉,同株异花授粉和异花授粉的结实没有明显差异。杭州自然居中新开花朵的调查没有发现闭花传粉现象。原因是花药和柱头之间存在空间隔离和发育上的时间隔离。这些隔离使昆虫花粉传播的必要媒介,结实从而取决于传粉昆虫的活动。     

荒漠孑遗植物裸果木的花部特征及繁育系统

裸果木是亚洲中部荒漠区少有的第三纪孑遗物种,也是构成石质荒漠植被群落的重要建群种之一,由于人为干扰,其自然种群处于不断衰退中。本文通过野外观察和人工授粉实验等方法,对裸果木的花部特征及繁育系统进行研究,对于揭示该物种生活史特征并探讨影响其生殖成功的因素及制定相应的保护和管理策略具有重要意义。结果表明:裸果木为两性花,花小,无花瓣,雄蕊10枚,外轮5枚雄蕊败育,胚珠1枚,开花盛期有少量花蜜并散发浓烈难闻气味,花粉活力和柱头可授性之间存在46 h的重叠期,且不完全雌性先熟,柱头和花药在多数花的单花花期结束时并未接触,因此,裸果木花主要表现为适应异花传粉的雌雄异位特征;花粉/胚珠比(P/O)为1371.67±236.21,异交系数(OCI)为3;不同花粉来源(自然授粉、自花授粉、同株异花和异株异花授粉)的花粉在柱头上均能萌发,但花粉管生长速度存在差异,同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的花粉管生长速度较快,自花授粉的花粉管生长速度最慢且部分花粉管(43%)在到达子房时停止生长,并未到达胚珠;人工套袋实验的结果表明,裸果木不存在无融合生殖,自然结种子数低,自然授粉花的种子数远远低于人工异株异花授粉花,说明存在由于异花传粉者不足造成的传粉限制。裸果木部分雌性先熟和雌雄异位是两性花为避免雌雄功能重叠,促进异交而采取的一种花部机制,其繁育系统为兼性异交类型且需要传粉者,部分自交不亲和和传粉限制是影响该物种有性生殖成功的主要因素。     

Consequences of clonal growth for plant mating

By affecting the number and the spatial distribution of flowering units (i.e., ramets), clonal growth can influence pollen transfer between plants and thus affect mating opportunities. In this paper I review some recent work that attests the importance of clonal growth for pollination patterns. A major aspect concerns the increase in floral display through the multiplication of flowering ramets. Although large floral displays can enhance pollinator attraction and may thus promote outcrossing, they can also increase rates of geitonogamy (i.e., pollination between flowers in the same plant). However, the latter aspect will depend on clonal architecture, a feature that greatly varies among clonal plant species. Future experimental studies and comparative analyses of rates of geitonogamy in species with clumped and intermingled distribution may allow for the evaluation of evolutionary interaction between clonal growth and floral traits that regulate mating patterns.     

Asexual and sexual reproductive strategies in clonal plants

Most plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually (or vegetatively),and the balance between the two reproductive modes may vary widely between and within species.Extensive clonal growth may affect the evolution of life history traits in many ways.First,in some clonal species,sexual reproduction and sex ratio vary largely among populations.Variation in sexual reproduction may strongly affect plant's adaptation to local environments and the evolution of the geographic range.Second,clonal growth can increase floral display,and thus pollinator attraction,while it may impose serious constraints and evolutionary challenges on plants through geitonogamy that may strongly influence pollen dispersal.Geitonogamous pollination can bring a cost to plant fitness through both female and male functions.Some co-evolutionary interactions,therefore,may exist between the spatial structure and the mating behavior of clonal plants.Finally,a trade-off may exist between sexual reproduction and clonal growth.Resource allocation to the two reproductive modes may depend on environmental conditions,competitive dominance,life span,and genetic factors.If different reproductive modes represent adaptive strategies for plants in different environments,we expect that most of the resources should be allocated to sexual reproduction in habitats with fluctuating environmental conditions and strong competition,while clonal growth should be dominant in stable habitats.Yet we know little about the consequence of natural selection on the two reproductive modes and factors which control the balance of the two reproductive modes.Future studies should investigate the reproductive strategies of clonal plants simultaneously from both sexual and asexual perspectives.     

Experimental analysis of mating patterns in a clonal plant reveals contrasting modes of self‐pollination

Hermaphrodite plants commonly practice self‐fertilization (selfing), but the mechanisms responsible vary depending on the mode of self‐pollination, pollinator behavior, and degree of clonality. Whether selfing occurs within (autogamy) or between flowers (geitonogamy) is of evolutionary significance because their fitness consequences differ. We used floral manipulations and genetic markers to determine the relative contribution of autogamy and within‐ versus between‐ramet geitonogamy to the selfing rate of the bumblebee‐pollinated, clonal herb Aconitum kusnezoffii. Data on flowering phenology and bumblebee foraging were also collected to determine opportunities for different modes of self‐pollination. Autogamy accounted for only 12% of the selfing rate with the remainder resulting from geitonogamy. Whole‐ramet emasculation of clones with multiple ramets reduced selfing by 78%, indicating that within‐ramet geitonogamy contributed significantly (68%) to total selfing. Selfing of single‐ramet plants was 44% less than multiple‐ramet plants, indicating that the contribution of between‐ramet geitonogamy was substantially less (20%) than within‐ramet geitonogamy, probably because of bumblebee foraging behavior. Our results demonstrate for the first time in a clonal plant that within‐ramet geitonogamy is substantially greater than between‐ramet geitonogamy and highlight the importance of considering the influence of clonal architecture and pollinator foraging on modes of self‐pollination.     

Effects of floral display size and biparental inbreeding on outcrossing rates in Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae)

Floral display size represents a tradeoff between the benefits of increased pollinator visitation and the quantity of pollen received vs. the costs of increased self-pollination and reduced pollination quality. Plants with large floral displays often are more attractive to pollinators, but pollinators visit more flowers per plant. Intraplant foraging movements should increase self-pollination through geitonogamy, lowering outcrossing rates in large plants. Local genetic structure should also increase inbreeding and decrease outcrossing estimates, if pollinators move between neighboring, related plants. These predictions were tested in a population of larkspurs (Delphinium barbeyi) in Colorado. Allozymes were used to estimate outcrossing rates of plants varying in display size. Floral displays varied widely (2-1400 flowers; 1-26 inflorescences per plant), and outcrossing rate decreased significantly with increasing display size. Large, multistalked plants self over twice as frequently as single-stalked plants (46 vs. 21%). Local population structure is significant, and biparental inbreeding depresses outcrossing in plants surrounded by genetically similar neighbors. Protandry, coupled with stereotypical bottom-up pollinator foraging, reduces self-fertilization by autogamy or geitonogamy within inflorescences. Selfing is predominantly (>60%) by geitonogamy between inflorescences in large plants. Geitonogamy may be a significant cost to plants with large floral displays if inbreeding depression and/or pollen and ovule discounting results. If so, floral display size, particularly inflorescence number, may be under contrasting selection for pollination quantity vs. quality.     

Asexual and sexual reproductive strategies in clonal plants

Most plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually (or vegetatively), and the balance between the two reproductive modes may vary widely between and within species. Extensive clonal growth may affect the evolution of life history traits in many ways. First, in some clonal species, sexual reproduction and sex ratio vary largely among populations. Variation in sexual reproduction may strongly affect plant’s adaptation to local environments and the evolution of the geographic range. Second, clonal growth can increase floral display, and thus pollinator attraction, while it may impose serious constraints and evolutionary challenges on plants through geitonogamy that may strongly influence pollen dispersal. Geitonogamous pollination can bring a cost to plant fitness through both female and male functions. Some co-evolutionary interactions, therefore, may exist between the spatial structure and the mating behavior of clonal plants. Finally, a trade-off may exist between sexual reproduction and clonal growth. Resource allocation to the two reproductive modes may depend on environmental conditions, competitive dominance, life span, and genetic factors. If different reproductive modes represent adaptive strategies for plants in different environments, we expect that most of the resources should be allocated to sexual reproduction in habitats with fluctuating environmental conditions and strong competition, while clonal growth should be dominant in stable habitats. Yet we know little about the consequence of natural selection on the two reproductive modes and factors which control the balance of the two reproductive modes. Future studies should investigate the reproductive strategies of clonal plants simultaneously from both sexual and asexual perspectives. Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2006, 20(1): 174–183 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Pollen limitation,species’ floral traits and pollinator visitation: different relationships in contrasting communities

Failures in the process of pollen transfer among conspecific plants can severely impact female reproductive success. Thus, pollen limitation can cause selection on plant mating systems and floral traits. The relationships between pollen limitation and floral traits might be partly mediated by the quantity and identity of pollinator visits. However, very little is known about the relationship between pollinator visits and pollen limitation. We examined the relationships between pollen limitation and floral traits at the community level to connect them to community ecology processes. We used 48 plant species from two contrasting communities: one species‐rich lowland community and one species‐poor alpine community. In addition, we calculated visitation rates and ecological pollination generalization for 38 of the species to examine the relationship between pollinator visitation and pollen limitation at the community level. We found low overall levels of pollen limitation that did not differ significantly between the alpine and the lowland community. In both communities, species with evolutionary specialized flowers were more pollen limited than species with unspecialized flowers. Species’ visitation rates and selfing capability were negatively related to pollen limitation in the alpine community, where pollinators are scarcer. However, flower size/number, ecological generalization of plants and flowering onset had greater effects on pollen limitation levels at the lowland community, indicating that the identity of the visitors and plant‐plant competitive interactions are more decisive for plant reproduction in this species‐rich community. There, pollen limitation increased with flower size and flowering onset, and decreased with ecological generalization, but only in species with evolutionary specialized flowers. Our study suggests that selection on plant mating system and floral traits may be idiosyncratic to each particular community and highlights the benefits of conducting community‐level studies for a better understanding of the processes underlying evolutionary responses to pollen limitation.     

Mating strategies in flowering plants: the outcrossing-selfing paradigm and beyond

Comparisons of the causes and consequences of cross- and self-fertilization have dominated research on plant mating since Darwin's seminal work on plant reproduction. Here, I provide examples of these accomplishments, but also illustrate new approaches that emphasize the role of floral design and display in pollen dispersal and fitness gain through male function. Wide variation in outcrossing rate characterizes animal-pollinated plants. In species with large floral displays, part of the selfing component of mixed mating can arise from geitonogamy and be maladaptive because of strong inbreeding depression and pollen discounting. Floral strategies that separate the benefits of floral display from the mating costs associated with geitonogamy can resolve these conflicts by reducing lost mating opportunities through male function. The results from experiments with marker genes and floral manipulations provide evidence for the function of herkogamy and dichogamy in reducing self-pollination and promoting pollen dispersal. Evidence is also presented indicating that increased selfing resulting from changes to floral design, or geitonogamy in large clones, can act as a stimulus for the evolution of dioecy. The scope of future research on mating strategies needs to be broadened to include investigations of functional links among flowers, inflorescences and plant architecture within the framework of life-history evolution.     

开花式样对传粉者行为及花粉散布的影响

理解植物花的特征可以从单花特征和群体特征两个层次入手。开花式样是植物的花在群体上的特征体现, 通过在开花数目、开花类型以及花的排列上的变化, 不同的开花式样对传粉者具有不同的吸引力, 影响昆虫在植株上的活动, 使花粉运动的方向发生相应变化, 从而影响着植物最终的交配结果。此外开花式样随环境改变也会发生一些变化。本文介绍了开花式样研究的进展, 对开花数目、开花类型以及花的排列等3个方面的已有研究进行了分别阐述, 并提出开花式样研究应更多地考虑影响传粉的各种因素。     

Phenological regulation of opportunities for within-inflorescence geitonogamy in the clonal species,iris versicolor (iridaceae)

Opportunities for selfing through geitonogamy are possible if more than one flower within the same clone, inflorescence, or floral unit is open at the same time. In a total of 200 inflorescences in two natural populations of Iris versicolor, flowers were observed and classified daily on the basis of anther dehiscence and stigma receptivity. Analysis of the flowering phenology demonstrated that (1) protandry limits opportunities for autogamy, (2) flowers mature sequentially within a floral unit (defined as a cluster of flowers borne on a single branch within an inflorescence), preventing the opportunity for geitonogamous fertilization between flowers of the same floral unit, and (3) 77% of all flowers had no opportunity to be pollinated by another flower within the same inflorescence. Both the number and the proportion of flowers with opportunities for geitonogamy increased with the number of flowers open in each population, and opportunities for geitonogamy also increased with the number of floral units within inflorescences. These morphological and phenological controls suggest that when selfing occurs in this species, it is most likely to occur between flowers on different inflorescences within the same clone. Since the organization of whole inflorescences in space is determined primarily by rhizome placement, clonal architecture may play an important role in mating system regulation in this species.     

Relative impact of mate versus pollinator availability on pollen limitation and outcrossing rates in a mass‐flowering species

Plant mating systems are driven by several pre‐pollination factors, including pollinator availability, mate availability and reproductive traits. We investigated the relative contributions of these factors to pollination and to realized outcrossing rates in the patchily distributed mass‐flowering shrub Rhododendron ferrugineum. We jointly monitored pollen limitation (comparing seed set from intact and pollen‐supplemented flowers), reproductive traits (herkogamy, flower size and autofertility) and mating patterns (progeny array analysis) in 28 natural patches varying in the level of pollinator availability (flower visitation rates) and of mate availability (patch floral display estimated as the total number of inflorescences per patch). Our results showed that patch floral display was the strongest determinant of pollination and of the realized outcrossing rates in this mass‐flowering species. We found an increase in pollen limitation and in outcrossing rates with increasing patch floral display. Reproductive traits were not significantly related to patch floral display, while autofertility was negatively correlated to outcrossing rates. These findings suggest that mate limitation, arising from high flower visitation rates in small plant patches, resulted in low pollen limitation and high selfing rates, while pollinator limitation, arising from low flower visitation rates in large plant patches, resulted in higher pollen limitation and outcrossing rates. Pollinator‐mediated selfing and geitonogamy likely alleviates pollen limitation in the case of reduced mate availability, while reduced pollinator availability (intraspecific competition for pollinator services) may result in the maintenance of high outcrossing rates despite reduced seed production.