The Thermal Ecology of Flowers

Overview

Journal Ann Bot

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Biology

Date 2019 Jun 18

PMID 31206146

Citations 24

Authors

Casper J van der Kooi

Peter G Kevan

Matthew H Koski

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Obtaining an optimal flower temperature can be crucial for plant reproduction because temperature mediates flower growth and development, pollen and ovule viability, and influences pollinator visitation. The thermal ecology of flowers is an exciting, yet understudied field of plant biology.

Scope: This review focuses on several attributes that modify exogenous heat absorption and retention in flowers. We discuss how flower shape, orientation, heliotropic movements, pubescence, coloration, opening-closing movements and endogenous heating contribute to the thermal balance of flowers. Whenever the data are available, we provide quantitative estimates of how these floral attributes contribute to heating of the flower, and ultimately plant fitness.

Outlook: Future research should establish form-function relationships between floral phenotypes and temperature, determine the fitness effects of the floral microclimate, and identify broad ecological correlates with heat capture mechanisms.

Citing Articles

Genetic Mechanisms and Adaptive Benefits of Anthocyanin Red Stigmas in a Wind-Pollinated Tree.

Wang W, Renner S, Liu H, Dai L, Chen C, Zhang Y Mol Biol Evol. 2025; 42(3).

PMID: 39924684 PMC: 11879928. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaf040.

Global change aggravates drought, with consequences for plant reproduction.

Brunet J, Inouye D, Wilson Rankin E, Giannini T Ann Bot. 2024; 135(1-2):89-104.

PMID: 39692585 PMC: 11805947. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae186.

Variations of floral temperature in changing weather conditions.

Harrap M, de Vere N, Hempel de Ibarra N, Whitney H, Rands S Ecol Evol. 2024; 14(7):e11651.

PMID: 38952664 PMC: 11214831. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11651.

The effect of global change on the expression and evolution of floral traits.

Day Briggs S, Anderson J Ann Bot. 2024; 135(1-2):9-24.

PMID: 38606950 PMC: 11805946. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae057.

Visual-, Olfactory-, and Nectar-Taste-Based Flower Aposematism.

Lev-Yadun S Plants (Basel). 2024; 13(3).

PMID: 38337924 PMC: 10857241. DOI: 10.3390/plants13030391.

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