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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Flower bouquet variation in four species of Crocus ser. Verni
Author(s):		Carta A; Flamini G; Cioni PL; Pistelli L; Peruzzi L;
Address:		"Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Luca Ghini 13, 56126, Pisa, Italy, acarta@biologia.unipi.it"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2015
Volume:		20141230
Issue:		1
Page Number:		105 - 110
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-014-0541-y
ISSN/ISBN:		1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Flowering plants employ a wide variety of signals, including scent, to attract pollinators. The aim of this work was to examine whether flower volatiles in four closely related Crocus species are linked to species divergence and to the current knowledge on their pollination syndromes. Fragrances of freshly opened flowers in Crocus etruscus, C. ilvensis, C. neglectus, and C. vernus, all belonging to ser. Verni, were analyzed using GC/MS. Results coincide with present knowledge about systematic relationships among taxa. The four species fall into two main fragrance types, based on similarities of their volatile compounds. In C. etruscus, C. ilvensis, and C. neglectus, oxygenated monoterpenes (lilac aldehyde B and A) are most abundant, while C. vernus has a fragrance rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (alpha-pinene and limonene). Our results point towards outcrossing mating strategies for C. etruscus, C. ilvensis, and C. neglectus, whose volatile compounds are known as pollinator attractants. This is in line with their flower architecture, showing a style of variable height, often overtopping stamens. On the other hand, a self-pollination strategy was repeatedly suggested in the literature for C. vernus, marked by flowers with the style deeply inserted in the stamens and also by a completely different flower bouquet"
Keywords:		Bicyclic Monoterpenes Crocus/*chemistry Cyclohexane Monoterpenes Cyclohexenes/analysis Flowers/anatomy & histology/*chemistry Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Limonene Monoterpenes/analysis Odorants/analysis Pollination Species Specificity Terpenes/an;
Notes:		"MedlineCarta, Angelino Flamini, Guido Cioni, Pier Luigi Pistelli, Luisa Peruzzi, Lorenzo eng 2014/12/31 J Chem Ecol. 2015 Jan; 41(1):105-10. doi: 10.1007/s10886-014-0541-y. Epub 2014 Dec 30"