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Brief Communications
Nature 410, 432 (22 March 2001) | doi:10.1038/35068635
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Pollination: Flexible style that encourages outcrossing
Qing-Jun Li1,3, Zai-Fu Xu1, W. John Kress2, Yong-Mei Xia1, Ling Zhang1, Xiao-Bao Deng1, Jiang-Yun Gao1 & Zhi-Lin Bai1
Abstract
Despite the convenience of self-pollination (selfing) in flowering plants 1, 2, 3, the detrimental effects of inbreeding that follow repeated selfing3, 4 have promoted strong natural selection for mating systems that ensure successful cross-fertilization (outcrossing). Here we describe a mechanism deployed by some tropical ginger flowers to avoid self-pollination — the flower moves its stigma (style), which normally acts as the pollen receptor, out of the way while its anther is releasing pollen. This cunning evasion adds to the diversity of pollination strategies that have contributed to the evolutionary success of flowering plants.
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