Horizontal orientation of zygomorphic flowers: significance for rain protection and pollen transfer

Floral traits are recognized to have evolved under selection for abiotic and biotic factors. Complex zygomorphic flowers usually face horizontally. It has been proved that a horizontal orientation facilitates pollinator recognition and pollination efficiency, but its significance in adaptation to abiotic factors remains unknown. The floral orientation of Abelia x grandiflora naturally varies around horizontal (with an angle of -30 to +33 degrees between the floral main axis and the horizontal). We examined whether three different floral orientations affected flower thermal conditions, response to rain and pollination. Results showed that floral orientation had no effect on diurnal variations in flower temperature. The anthers of all three flower orientations were wetted by rainfall, but the inclined upward-facing flowers contained significantly more rainwater. The horizontal flowers received significantly higher visitation by hawkmoths and had a higher stigmatic pollen load. In contrast, the upward flower orientation reduced pollination precision, while downward-facing flowers had decreased pollinator attraction. This study indicates that horizontal flowers may have evolved as a trade-off between rain protection and pollination. Zygomorphic flowers that deviate from a horizontal orientation may have lower fitness because of flower flooding by rainwater and decreased pollen transfer.

Automated summary

Floral traits have evolved under selection for abiotic and biotic factors, with complex zygomorphic flowers usually facing horizontally. Horizontal flowers facilitate pollinator recognition and efficiency, with upward-facing flowers offering rain protection. Floral orientation did not affect flower temperature variation, but did impact pollination precision and attraction of pollinators. Horizontal flowers may have evolved as a trade-off between rain protection and pollination, while deviations from a horizontal orientation could result in lower fitness due to flower flooding and reduced pollen transfer.