Decorative sterile flowers in nine Japanese species of Viburnum (Adoxaceae) and their influence on pollinator visits

Framed inflorescences are unique arrangements in which a cluster of small fertile flowers is surrounded by several larger, decorative sterile flowers. Viburnum (Adoxaceae) species vary in their inflorescence arrangements; some species exhibit framed inflorescences, whereas others do not. We hypothesize that the decorative flowers increase the pollinator-attracting functions of the inflorescences; as proved by previous studies, they additionally function as landing-sites for pollinators. To test our hypotheses, field manipulation experiments were carried out for nine Viburnum species, three with inherently framed inflorescences and six without them: sterile flowers were removed and mounted on species with and without framed inflorescences, respectively. Results show that inflorescences with decorative flowers had higher visit rates than inflorescences without them, and that insect flower visitors did not show landing preference for either flower type. These results suggest that decorative flowers appeared only in a subset of Viburnum species to increase their pollination chances by, mainly, enhancing the attractiveness of the inflorescence. It is likely that species without framed inflorescences use other attraction-enhancing mechanisms, such as a high flowering synchrony within a single cluster of fertile flowers, a trait found in most studied species without decorative flowers.

Automated summary

Framed inflorescences with decorative flowers play a significant role in increasing pollination chances by attracting more pollinators, although not all Viburnum species possess this inflorescence structure. Other species likely use alternative mechanisms to enhance attraction, such as high flowering synchrony within a cluster of fertile flowers.