Morphological variation in Puya (Bromeliaceae): an allometric study

Hornung‐Leoni, Claudia T.; Sosa, Victoria

doi:10.1007/s00606-005-0302-z

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The subgenus Puya comprises eight species with large, terminal, columnar, and multibranched inflorescences (Hornung‐Leoni & Sosa, 2004); the most well known being the Peruvian P. raimondii – the ‘Queen of the Andes’– which grows to 10–12 m in total height (Sgorbati et al , 2004). Puya alpestris is confined to Chile, and is smaller, with an inflorescence of 1–1.5 m and up to 2 m total height (Hornung‐Leoni & Sosa, 2006). Each branch on the inflorescence carries several large flowers of a striking blue colour with bright orange pollen.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coloured nectar: distribution, ecology, and evolution of an enigmatic floral trait

et al. 2007

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While coloured nectar has been known to science at least since 1785, it has only recently received focused scientific attention. However, information about this rare floral trait is scattered and hard to find. Here, we document coloured nectar in 67 taxa worldwide, with a wide taxonomical and geographical distribution. We summarise what is currently known about coloured nectar in each of the lineages where it occurs. The most common nectar colours are in the spectrum from yellow to red, but also brown, black, green, and blue colours are found. Colour intensity of the nectar varies, sometimes even within one taxa, as does the level of contrast between flower petals and nectar. Coloured nectar has evolved independently throughout the angiosperms at least 15 times at the level of family, and is in many cases correlated with one or more of three parameters: (1) vertebrate pollination, known or hypothesised, (2) insularity -many species are from islands or insular mainland habitats, and (3) altitude -many species are found at relatively high altitudes. We discuss the evolution and speculate on possible ecological functions of coloured nectar. Apart from being a non-functional, perhaps pleiotropic, trait, we present several hypotheses on possible ecological functions of coloured nectar. Firstly, for some plant species it can be interpreted as an honest signal, leading to high pollination efficiency. Secondly, it can function as a deterrent against nectar-thieves or inefficient pollinators, thus acting as a floral filter. Thirdly, nectar colour-pigments can have anti-microbial qualities that may protect the nectar in long-lived flowers. Neither of these possibilities are mutually exclusive. Recent studies have provided experimental evidence for the first two hypotheses, and we suggest promising avenues for future research into this little-known floral trait. ABSTRACT While coloured nectar has been known to science at least since 1785, it has only recently received focused scientific attention. However, information about this rare floral trait is scattered and hard to find. Here, we document coloured nectar in 67 taxa worldwide, with a wide taxonomical and geographical distribution. We summarise what is currently known about coloured nectar in each of the lineages where it occurs. The most common nectar colours are in the spectrum from yellow to red, but also brown, black, green, and blue colours are found. Colour intensity of the nectar varies, sometimes even within one taxa, as does the level of contrast between flower petals and nectar. Coloured nectar has evolved independently throughout the angiosperms at least 15 times at the level of family, and is in many cases correlated with one or more of three parameters: (1) vertebrate pollination, known or hypothesised, (2) insularity -many species are from islands or insular mainland habitats, and (3) altitude -many species are found at relatively high altitudes. We discuss the evolution and speculate on possible ecological functions of coloured nectar. Apart fr...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coloured nectar: distribution, ecology, and evolution of an enigmatic floral trait

et al. 2007

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“…Therefore, it is suggested that the reproductive strategy of this species is to produce more flowers to increase seed set. The results of a previous study have shown that there is an allometric pattern in Puya in which plant size is correlated with petal length (Hornung‐Leoni & Sosa, 2005). It is suggested that, in subgenus Puya , large and giant plants have large inflorescences; this is advantageous because, if the flowers are medium‐sized, there is an increase in flower number and a larger seed set can be produced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological phylogenetics of Puya subgenus Puya (Bromeliaceae)

Hornung‐Leoni

Sosa

2008

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

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Puya, a large genus mostly from South America, has been taxonomically divided into two subgenera: Puyopsis and Puya. The latter includes only eight species distributed mainly in Chile, extending to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The species of subgenus Puya are recognized by the presence of a sterile apex of the inflorescence branches, whereas those of subgenus Puyopsis have fertile flowers all along the branches. The objectives of this article were to determine whether this diagnostic character was synapomorphic for subgenus Puya, and to explore the relationships between its species. Parsimony analyses were performed for 43 taxa and 93 morphological characters, 87 of which were discrete and six continuous. In the analysis that included all characters, a single most parsimonious tree was found that supported subgenus Puya by two synapomorphic character states, including the diagnostic character of a sterile inflorescence branch apex and a blooming pattern in which flowers open gradually from base to apex. The trees were better supported when the continuous characters were included. Further studies are suggested to resolve the infrageneric classification of Puya and the relationships of the species belonging to subgenus Puya.

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“…Molecular markers used in this work revealed a high level of genetic variation; however, P. raimondii is subjected to extensive fire and exploitation in the Puna (Sgorbati et al 2004, Hornung andSosa 2005). Conservation of rare species must have maintenance of genetic diversity as a high priority (Pullin 2002).…”

Section: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Plants of this giant terrestrial bromeliad grow solely in puna, a high altitude Andean ecosystem, in a few regions of Peru and Bolivia, at elevations of 4000-4500 m asl. It is the largest Bromeliaceae in the world, reaching heights up to 12 m (Hornung-Leoni and Sosa 2005). This species is monocarpic, producing a single gigantic inflorescence at the end of its life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%