Plant Sex: Mating Systems, Pollination, and Clonality Flashcards
Asexual reproduction
Produces genetically identical daughter plants (ramets)
Sexual reproduction
Produces genetically distinct daughter plants (genets)
Vegetative reproduction structures
Stolen
Rhizomes
Bulbs
Suckers
Layering
Apomixis
Stolon (runner)
Branches on surface
Rhizome
Underground stem
Bulbs (corm)
Underground rosette
Suckers
Buds forming on shallow roots
Layering
Stems form adventitous roots
Apomixis
Asexual seed production
Clone structure
Phalanx (clumping)
Guerilla (spreading)
Phalanx
Tightly packed ramets
Guerilla
Widely spread ramets
Phalanx vs guerilla tactics
Phalanx is better at exploiting high nutrient resources
Guerilla is better at finding new patches
Clonal integration
An initial investment of carbon and nutrients from parent as a new ramet forms. Some clones break apart rapidly while others maintain connections for long time spans
Benefits of integration
Avoid kin competition
Integrate environmental conditions over entire clone
Improve defensive signaling
Benefits of separation
Increase lifespan of individual clones
Decrease cost of maintaining connection
Allow independent timing of flowering
Agamospermy
Asexual production of seeds (apomixis) which lacks recombination
Mating systems
Governs with whom a plant mates