Seed Size Variation in the Cleistogamous species, Ruellia humilis

Abstract

Plant mating systems describe the relative production of self and outcrossed seeds in a population. Mating systems effect the genetic variation, individual fitness, population persistence and evolutionary change in a population. Cleistogamous species exhibit a mixed mating system in which both closed, cleistogamous (CL) flowers and open, chasmogamous (CH) flowers are produced on individual plants. Understanding the selective forces that favor the stable production of both flowers may provide insight into conditions that favor mixed mating systems in general. Using R. humilis as a study system the seed sizes between CL and CH flowers were examined to determine any potential differences between the flowers.