Flowering Phenology and Mating System of Calanthe sieboldii

Abstract

The pollination characteristics and flowering phenology of Calanthe sieboldii were evaluated to elucidate its reproductive characteristics and breeding systems. Field observations and artificial pollination experiments were conducted to study the pollination biology in Xuancheng City, Anhui Province. Meanwhile, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the species’ volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Key findings include the following: (1) the flowering period extends from mid-April to mid-May, with a population-level flowering duration of 29 days in 2017, individual plant flowering averaging 20.22 days, and single flower longevity ranging from 12 to 23 days (mean = 19.30 days); (2) the species exhibits deceptive nectar guides devoid of nectar, indicating food-deceptive pollination, with Bombus sp. identified as its primary pollinator; (3) the pollinial–ovule ratio and hybridization index suggest a high level of self-compatibility without autonomous self-pollination, with no significant difference in pollination success between self- and outcross populations; (4) GC-MS analysis identified methyl benzoate and acacia-related compounds as the primary VOCs of C. sieboldii. These findings provide valuable insights into the conservation and sustainable management of orchids, particularly C. sieboldii.