Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Floral divergence and convergence in the genusPelargonium (Geraniaceae) in southern Africa: Ecological and evolutionary considerations

  • Published:
Plant Systematics and Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on field observations and a survey of the available literature, the functional and evolutionary significance of floral characters ofPelargonium is investigated in relation to a recent infrageneric re-classification. Most of the 208Pelargonium taxa (recognized as species, subspecies or varieties) involved show bee and long-proboscid hovering fly pollination syndromes (about 60% and 25%, respectively), only 7% of the taxa are pollinated by butterflies, some 2 to 4% by hawkmoths and presumably 1% by birds. The heterogeneity ofPelargonium in terms of structural blossom types and pollination syndromes indicates an independent and repeated evolution of convergent flower morphs in the genus and even in sections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albers, F., Van der Walt, J. J. A., 1984: Untersuchungen zur Karyologie und Mikrosporogenese vonPelargonium sect.Pelargonium (Geraniaceae). — Pl. Syst. Evol.147: 177–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • —,Gibby, M., Marschewski, D. E., Price, R. A., Du Preez, G., 1995: A biosystematic study ofPelargonium sectionLigularia: 2. Reappraisal of sectionChorisma. — S. African J. Bot.61: 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, G. D., 1979: Red-absorbing visual pigments of butterflies. — Science203: 202–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowden, R. N., 1978:Diptera. — InWerger, M. J. A., (Ed.): Biogeography and ecology of southern Africa, pp. 774–796. — The Hague: Junk.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkhil, I. H., 1899: Notes onPelargonium rapaceum Jacq. — Ann. Bot.13: 181–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell, C. B., 1985: The absence of coevolutionary associations with Cape floral elements in the larval/plant relationship of southwestern Cape butterflies. — InVrba, E. S., (Ed.): Species and speciation. — Transvaal Mus. Monogr.4: 155–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darwin, C., 1862: On the various countrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilized by insects. — London: Murray.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delpino, F., 1873/1874: Ulteriori osservazioni sulla dicogamia nel regno vegetale. — Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat.16/17: 262; 274–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deyrup, M. A., 1988: Pollen feeding inPoecilognathus punctipennis (Diptera:Bombyliidae). — Florida Entomol.71: 597–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faegri, K., Van der Pijl, L., 1979: The principles of pollination ecology. 3rd edn. — Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gess, S. K., Gess, F. W., 1989: Flower visiting by masarid wasps in Southern Africa (Hymenoptera:Vespoidea:Masaridae). — Ann. Cape. Prov. Mus. Nat. Hist.18: 95–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1993: Effects of increasing land utilization on species representation and diversity of aculeate wasps and bees in the semi-arid areas of southern Africa. — InLasalle, J., Gauld, I. D., (Eds):Hymenoptera and biodiversity, pp. 83–113. — Wallingford: CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giliomee, J. H., 1986: Hunting for insect pollinators on fynbos flowers. — Veld Fl. (1975+)72: 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldblatt, P., Manning, J. C., Bernhardt, P., 1995: Pollination biology ofLapeirousia subgenusLapeirousia (Iridaceae) in southern Africa: floral divergence and adaption for long-tongued fly pollination. — Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard.82: 517–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, V., Grant, K. A., 1965: Flower pollination in thePhlox family. — New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimaldi, D., 1988: Bee flies and bluets:Bombylius (Diptera:Bombyliidae) flower-constant on the distylous species,Hedyotis caerulea (Rubiaceae), and the manner of foraging. — J. Nat. Hist. (London)22: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haeseler, V., 1982: Zur Bionomie der Küstendünen bewohnenden BieneOsmia maritima Friese (Hymenoptera:Apoidea:Megachilidae). — Zool. Jahrb. Syst.109: 117–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Japp, G., 1909: Ueber die morphologische Wertigkeit des Nektariums der Blüten desPelargonium zonale. — Verh. Naturf. Vereins Brünn47: 201–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. D., 1992: Plant animal relationships. — InCowling, R., (Ed.): The ecology of fynbos. Nutrients, fire and diversity, pp. 175–205. — Cape Town: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. D., 1994: Evidence for Batesian mimicry in a butterfly pollinated orchid. — Biol. J. Linn. Soc.53: 91–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1995: Observations of hawkmoth pollination in the South African orchidDisa cooperi. — Nordic J. Bot.15: 121–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1994: Red flowers and butterfly pollination in the fynbos of South Africa. — InArianoutsou, M., Groves, R. H., (Eds): Plant-animal interactions in mediterraneantype ecosystems, pp. 137–148. — Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —Midgley, J., 1997: Fly pollination and the adaptive significance of dark spots on the capitulum ofGorteria diffusa (Asteraceae). — Evolution (in press).

  • —, 1995: Long-proboscid fly pollination of two orchids in the Cape Drakensberg mountains, South Africa. — Pl. Syst. Evol.195: 169–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • — - 1997: Long-tongued fly pollination and divergence in the spur length ofDisa draconis. — Evolution (in press).

  • Jürgens, N., 1991: A new approach to the Namib Region. Part I: phytogeographic subdivision. — Vegetatio97: 21–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearns, C. A., Inouye, D. W., 1993: Techniques for pollination biologists. — Niwot, Colorado: University Press of Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kevan, P. G., 1983: Floral colors through the insect eye: what they are and what they mean. — InJones, C. E., Little, R. J., (Eds): Handbook of experimental pollination biology, pp. 3–30. — New York: Van Nostrand Reinold.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knuth, P., 1898: Handbuch der Blütenbiologie.2,1. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1904: Handbuch der Blütenbiologie.3,1. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knuth, R., 1912:Geraniaceae. Bestäubung. — InEngler, A., (Ed.): Das Pflanzenreich,4/129, pp. 18–22. — Leipzig: Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kugler, H., 1970: Blütenökologie. 2nd edn. — Stuttgart: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, D. G., Webb, C. J., 1986: The avoidance of interference between the presentation of pollen and stigmas in angiosperms. I. Dichogamy. — New Zealand J. Bot.24: 135–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggs, G. L., 1987: Taxonomic studies in the sectionPolyactium ofPelargonium (Geraniaceae). — M. Sc. Thesis, University of Stellenbosch (unpubl.).

  • —, 1995: Taxonomy of the genusPelargonium (Geraniaceae): the sectionPolyactium. 1. Circumscription and intrasectional classification. — S. African J. Bot.61: 53–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manning, J. C., Goldblatt, P., 1995: Cupid comes in many guises. The not-so-humble fly and a pollination guild in the Overberg. — Veld. Fl. (1975+)81: 50–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: TheProsoeca peringueyi (Diptera:Nemestrinidae) pollination syndrome in southern Africa: long-tongued flies and their tubular flowers. — Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard.83: 67–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marais, E. M., 1981: Die taksonomiese waarde van die blom vanPelargonium (Geraniaceae). — M. Sc. Thesis, University of Stellenbosch (unpubl.).

  • — 1994: Taxonomic studies inPelargonium, sectionHoarea (Geraniaceae). — Ph.D. Thesis, University of Stellenbosch (unpubl.).

  • Marloth, R., 1908a: Some observations on entomophilous flowers. — S. African J. Sci.4: 110–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1908b: Das Kapland. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition2: — Jena: G. Fischer.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1925: The Flora of South Africa.2. — Cape Town: Darter Bros.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, D. J., Powrie, F. J., 1992:Pelargonium tricolor. A colourful candidate for cultivation. — Veld Fl. (1975+)78: 68–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1992: Observations on the pollination ofPelargonium tricolor, sectionCampylea (Geraniaceae). — S. African J. Bot.58: 386–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, R., 1990: Color vision in flower visiting insects. — Jülich: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Internationales Büro.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meve, U., 1995: Autogamie beiPelargonium-Wildarten. — Palmengarten59: 100–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1994: Floral biology and pollination in stapeliads — new results and a literature review. — Pl. Syst. Evol.192: 99–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, L. A., 1988: The evolution of flowers with deep corolla tubes. — Nature334: 147–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olesen, J. M., 1992: How do plants reproduce on their range margin? — InThanos, C. A., (Ed.): Plant-animal interactions in mediterranean-type ecosystems. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Mediterranean Climate Ecosystems, pp. 117–122. — Athens.

  • Price, R. A., Palmer, J. D., 1993: Phylogenetic relationships of theGeraniaceae andGeraniales fromrbcL sequence comparison. — Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard.80: 661–671.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pringle, E. L. L., Henning, G. A., Ball, J. B., (Eds), 1994: Pennington's butterflies of Southern Africa. 2nd edn. — Winchester: Struik.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebelo, A. G., Siegfried, W. R., Oliver, E. G. H., 1985: Pollination syndromes ofErica species in the south western Cape. — S. African J. Bot.51: 270–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheltema, A. G., Van der Walt, J. J. A., 1990: Taxonomic revision ofPelargonium sectionJenkinsonia (Geraniaceae) in southern Africa. — S. African J. Bot.56: 285–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz, B., 1993: Zur Blütenbiologie der GattungPelargonium (Geraniaceae). Eine Bestandsaufnahme und eigene Beobachtungen. — First State Examination Thesis, University of Münster (unpubl.).

  • Scott Elliot, G. F., 1891: Notes on the fertilization of south African and Madagascar flowering plants. — Ann. Bot.5: 333–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stebbins, G. L., 1974: Flowering plants: evolution above the species level. — Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Struck, M., 1990: Vergleichende phänologische und blütenbiologische Studien an Daueruntersuchungsflächen im ariden Winterregengebiet des südlichen Afrika. — Ph.D. Thesis, University of Hamburg.

  • —, 1994a: Flowers and their insect visitors in the arid rainfall region of southern Africa: observations on permanent plots. Composition of the anthophilous insect fauna. — J. Arid Environm.28: 45–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1994b: Flowers and their insect visitors in the arid winter rainfall region of southern Africa: observations on permanent plots. Insect visitation behaviour. — J. Arid Environm.28: 51–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1996: Floral structure and pollination inPelargonium. — InVan der Maesen, L. J. G., Van der Burgt, X. M., Van der Medenbach de Rooy, J. M., (Eds): The biodiversity of African plants, pp. 631–638. — Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Walt, J. J. A., 1985: A taxonomic revision of the type section ofPelargonium L'Hérit. (Geraniaceae). — Bothalia15: 345–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1994: A new species ofPelargonium sectionCampylia (Geraniaceae). — S. African J. Bot.60: 144–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1988: A taxonomic revision ofPelargonium sectionCampylia (Geraniaceae). — S. African J. Bot.54: 145–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1983: Phytogeography ofPelargonium. — Bothalia14: 517–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1988: Pelargoniums of southern Africa,3. — Kirstenbosch: National Botanic Gardens.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1990a: A new species ofPelargonium with notes on its ecology and pollination biology. — S. African J. Bot.56: 467–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1990b: The transfer ofErodium incarnatum to the genusPelargonium (Geraniaceae). — S. African J. Bot.56: 560–564.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1995: A biosystematic study ofPelargonium sectionLigularia: 1. A new sectionSubsucculentia. — S. African J. Bot.61: 331–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • — - - -Hellbrüge, D., Price, R. A., 1997: A biosystematic study ofPelargonium sectionLigularia: 2. Reappraisal of sectionJenkinsonia. — S. African J. Bot. (in press).

  • Vogel, S., 1954: Blütenbiologische Typen als Elemente der Sippengliederung. — Bot. Stud.1: 1–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, V. B., Giliomee, J. H., Rebelo, A. G., 1987: Insect pollination in the Cape flora. — InRebelo, A. G., (Ed.): A preliminary synthesis of pollination biology in the Cape flora. — South African National Scientific Programmes Report141: 52–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zietsman, P. C., 1993: Pollination inPelargonium dolomiticum Knuth (Geraniaceae). — S. African J. Bot.59: 259–264.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. Struck

    Present address: Phyllobolic Institute, Gütersloher Strasse 64, D-33428, Harsewinkel, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X5018, 7600, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    M. Struck

Authors
  1. M. Struck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Struck, M. Floral divergence and convergence in the genusPelargonium (Geraniaceae) in southern Africa: Ecological and evolutionary considerations. Pl Syst Evol 208, 71–97 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986083

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986083

Key words

Search

Navigation