Intraseasonal variation in seed production among flowers and plants of Thalictrum thalictroides ( Ranunculaceae).

Mean seed number and percent seed set were lower in flowers open late in the season than in those open earlier. The lower percent seed set occurs primarily in flowers that are positioned laterally on the inflorescence and which open later than center flowers. Plants flowering early in the season produce more flowers, ovules and seeds than those flowering later. Mean percent seed set per plant did not change, however, indicating that temporal differences in total seed output can be traced largely to variation in total ovule number. Seed production may be limited by lack of pollination during periods of inclement weather. At least late in the season, seed output may also be resource-limited. -from Authors

Duke Scholars

Author Norman L. Christensen Environmental Sciences and Policy