Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reproductive biology of twoPrunus species (Rosaceae) in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

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

Abstract

We studied the reproductive biology ofPrunus spinosa andPrunus mahaleb (Prunoideae, Rosaceae) in the northwest Iberian Peninsula. The two species flowered at the same time (peaking on March 9 and 11, respectively in 1990) but differ significantly in their fruit maturation times. Nectar volume peaked in the early morning in both species, and was ten times greater inP. spinosa than inP. mahaleb. Neither species shows apomixis, nor does fruit-set occur if pollinators are excluded. In both species self-pollination resulted in fewer fruits than open pollination. The principal pollinators belong to theApidae family (79% and 63% of visits toP. spinosa andP. mahaleb, respectively). Results are compared with those for other rosaceous plants with fleshy fruits.

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

  • Arroyo, J., 1988: Atributos florales y fenología de la floración en matorrales del sur de España. — Lagascalia15: 43–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briane, G., Cabrol, J. L., 1985: Essai de cartographie des resources melliferes du Rucher de Peyrille (Haute-Garonne). — Mem. Maitrise. Toulouse: C.N.R.S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, C. S., Greene, C. W., Dickinson, T. A., 1991: Reproductive biology in subfam.Maloideae (Rosaceae). — Syst. Bot.16: 333–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, S. A., 1978: Bee visits and the nectar ofEchium vulgare L. andSinapis alba L. — Ecol. Entomol.3: 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1979a: Humidity, nectar and insect visits to flowers, with special reference toCrataegus, Tilia, andEchium. — Ecol. Entomol.4: 9–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1979b: Post-secretory determinants of sugar concentration in nectar. — Pl. Cell Environment2: 293–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debussche, M., Isenmann, P., 1989: Fleshy fruit characters and the choices of bird and mammal seed dispersers in a Mediterranean region. — Oikos56: 327–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1987: Variation in fleshy fruit composition in the Mediterranean region: the importance of ripening season, life-form, fruit type and geographical distribution. — Oikos49: 244–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, T. A., Campbell, C. S., 1991: Population structure and reproductive ecology in theMaloideae (Rosaceae). — Syst. Bot.15: 124–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1986: Studies inCrataegus (Rosaceae: Maloideae) XIV. The breeding system ofCrataegus crus-gallii sensu lato in Ontario. — Amer. J. Bot.73: 116–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duke, N. C., 1990: Phenological trends with latitude in the mangrove treeAvicennia marina. — J. Ecol.78: 113–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faegri, K., Van der Pijl, L., 1979: Principles of pollination ecology. — Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes, M., 1990: Relaciones entre pájaros y frutos en un matorral del norte de España: variación estacional y diferencia con otras áreas geográficas. — Ardeola37: 53–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1992: Latitudinal and elevational variation in fruiting phenology among western European bird-dispersed plants. — Holartic Ecol.15: 177–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, V., 1981: Plant speciation. — New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guitián, J., Fuentes, M., 1992: Reproductive biology ofCrataegus monogyna in NW Spain. — Acta Oecol.13: 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1990: Fenología de la floración y fructificación en plantas de un espinal de El Bierzo (León, Noroeste de España). — Anal. Jardín Bot. Madrid48: 53–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • -Sánchez, J. M., Rodríguez, M., 1991: Fenología de la floración en un área mediterranea del noroeste ibérico: contrastes con áreas eurosiberianas próximas. — Lazaora (in press).

  • —, 1992: Spatial variation in the interactions betweenPrunus mahaleb and frugivorous birds. — Oikos63: 125–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich, B., 1981: The energetics of pollination. — Ann. Missouri Bot. Garden68: 370–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1972: Energetics and pollination ecology. — Science176: 597–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, C. M., 1987: Bird-dispersed plants of the Iberian Peninsula: a study of fruit characteristics. — Ecol. Monogr.57: 305–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1981:Prunus mahaleb and birds: the high-efficiency seed dispersal system of a temperate fruiting tree. — Ecol. Monogr.51: 203–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, J., 1986: Flowering and fruiting phenology in the coastal shrublands of Doñana, South Spain. — Vegetatio68: 91–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1987: Biología reproductiva de algunas especies del matorral de Doñana. — Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid44: 483–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1988: Pollination relationships in southern Spanish Mediterranean shrublands. — J. Ecol.76: 274–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, R. L., 1969: Abstract bibliography of fruit breeding and genetics to 1965. —Prunus. — London: Commonwealth Agriculture Bureaux.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moldenke, A. R., 1975: Niche specialization and species diversity along a California transect. — Oecologia21: 219–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, H., 1879: The fertilization of flowers. — London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Percival, M., 1961: Types of nectar in angiosperms. — New Phytol.60: 235–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1965: Floral biology. — London: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Primack, R. B., 1980: Variation in the phenology of natural populations of montane shrubs in New Zealand. — J. Ecol.68: 849–862.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1985a: Longevity of individual flowers. — Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst.16: 15–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1985b: Patterns of flowering phenology in communities, populations, individuals, and single flowers. — InWhite, J., (Ed.): The population structure of vegetation, pp. 571–593. — Dordrecht: Junk.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, M., Yeo, P., 1973: The pollination of flowers. — London: Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prys-Jones, O., Corbett, S., 1987: Bumblebees. — Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathcke, B., Lacey, E. P., 1985: Phenological patterns of terrestrial plants. — Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst.16: 179–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, A. J., 1986: Plant breeding systems. — London: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow, B., Snow, D., 1988: Birds and berries. — London: Poyser.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen, A. E., 1981: Interactions between birds and fruits in a British woodland. — Oecologia50: 242–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stebbins, F. G., 1975: Ecology, flowering phenology and hummingbird pollination of some Costa RicanHeliconia species. — Ecology56: 235–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talavera, S., Herrera, J., Arroyo, J., Ortiz, P. L., Devesa, J. A., 1988: Estudio de la flora apícola de Andalucía Occidental. — Lagascalia15: 567–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigó, J., 1988: Estructura y ciclo fenológico de una aliseda Pirenaico-oriental (Scrophulario-Alnetum). — Lazaroa10: 111–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willson, M. F., 1983: Plant reproductive ecology. — New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeboah Gyan K., Woodell, S. R. J., 1987a: Flowering phenology, flower colour, and mode of reproduction ofPrunus spinosa L. (Blackthorn);Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Hawthorn);Rosa canina L. (Dog Rose); andRubus fruticosus (Bramble) in Oxfordshire, England. — Funct. Ecol.1: 261–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1987b: Nectar production, sugar content, amino acids and potassium inPrunus spinosa L.,Crataegus monogyna Jacq., andRubus fruticosus L. at Wytham, Oxfordshire. — Funct. Ecol.1: 251–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, —, 1987c: Analysis of insect pollen loads and pollination efficiency of some common insect visitors of four species of woodyRosaceae. — Funct. Ecol.1: 269–274.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Botánica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Universidad de Santiago, E-15706, Santiago, Spain

    Javier Guitián, Pablo Guitián & José María Sánchez

Authors
  1. Javier Guitián
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pablo Guitián
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. José María Sánchez
    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

Guitián, J., Guitián, P. & Sánchez, J.M. Reproductive biology of twoPrunus species (Rosaceae) in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula. Pl Syst Evol 185, 153–165 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937654

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937654

Key words

Search

Navigation