The Life History of Euryale ferox Salisb. in Southwestern Japan with Special Reference to Reproductive Ecology |
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| Authors: | Yasuro Kadono Edward L. Schneider |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe 657, Japan;Department of Biology, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas 78666, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The life history of Euryale ferox Salisb, observed in Akashi, Southwestern Japan, is described. Cleistogamous (CL) flowers appear from early July and precocious pollination occurs. Chasmogamous (CH) flowers are seen during a limited period between mid-August and mid-September. The abundance of CH flowers varies among populations and/or from year to year. Few insects visit CH flowers and self-pollination occurs prior to anthesis. The number of seeds produced by CL flowers significantly exceeds that of CH flowers. Considering the shorter period of CH flower production and the lesser quantity of seed produced, the significance of CL flowers in the maintenance of E. ferox populations must be considered greater than that of CH flowers. |
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| Keywords: | Euryale ferox phenology floral cycle cleistogamy seed production |
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