Multiple meanings and modes: On the many ways to be a generalist flower

Jeff Ollerton, Ant Killick, Ellen Lamborn, Stella Watts, Margaret Whiston

    Research output: Contribution to Book/ReportChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    The concept of a generalist flower appears to mean different things to different people, depending upon their background and training. We assess the different meanings of generalist flowers with respect to the ecological "set and setting" of pollination, and then we discuss notions of ecological, functional and phenotypic generalization. These ideas are explored in more detail using examples from our own published and unpublished studies on the pollination ecology of Daucus carota, Hedera helix, and Chamerion angustifolium, and from the published work of other researchers. Finally we relate these ideas and clarified definitions of "generalist" and "specialist" flowers to the pollination syndrome concept.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationTaxon
    PublisherInternational Association for Plant Taxonomy
    Pages717-728
    Number of pages12
    ISBN (Print)0040-0262
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    Publication series

    NameTaxon
    Volume56

    Keywords

    • Apocynaceae
    • Asclepias
    • Mutualism
    • Pollination biology
    • Species interactions

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