Reduced Photoperiod Induces Partially Synchronous Flowering in an Understory Rain Forest Herb, Begonia urophylla in Costa Rica |
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| Authors: | Jeanette Rivera John Cozza |
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| Institution: | Department of Biology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199, U.S.A.;
and Department of Biology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 249118, Coral Gables, Florida 33124-0421, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | The monoecious understory herb Begonia urophylla blooms in the dry season at Las Cruces, Costa Rica, and bloom is partially synchronized. A laboratory experiment investigated reduced photoperiod as an unambiguous cue for flowering. The inductive period was 3 weeks for flowers but less for bud formation. Variation in bloom time may be an adaptation to enhance fitness gain of plants, such as B. urophylla, with sequential male and female phases. |
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| Keywords: | bloom induction bloom synchronization bud formation inductive period |
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