Ursinia nana (Anthemideae, Asteraceae), an adventive from South Africa which is becoming naturalized in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Observations about its reproductive biology and fruit dispersal mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/collectbot.2008.v28.010Keywords:
annuals, autogamy, Catalonia, floral structure, fruit predation, geitonogamy, Messor barbarus, naturalization process, pollination ecology, Spain, UrsiniaAbstract
The presence of Ursinia nana, an Anthemideae of South-African origin which has been introduced into the NE Iberian Peninsula, is reported for the first time in Europe. The data offered cover its precise location, morphology, chromosome number, ecology and a population census, as well as its life cycle, floral structure, reproductive biology and fruit dispersal mechanisms. Of special note are the clear predominance of autogamy (geitonogamy) over xenogamy as a reproductive system and the large number of fruits produced with high and immediate germinative capacity. These characteristics permit rapid colonization by the introduced species, which can become invasive. However, fruit predation by the ant Messor barbarus points to a natural mechanism that helps regulate population growth and makes biological control possible. Finally its possibilities of expansion in the colonized area and of naturalization in the NE Iberian Peninsula are assessed.
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