Floral temperatures and seed production in Brandisia hancei

We studied the functional advantages of persistent calyx and labiate corolla in Brandisia hancei, a typical winter-flowering shrub. The calyx and corolla function as a tiny greenhouse, and thus the floral temperature can be up to 10℃ higher than the ambient temperature. However, temperature excess disappeared after shading. The manipulation on perianth generally resulted in lower floral temperatures and lower seed production, while both temperature and seed production regained after repairing the corolla.

Methods
All temperatures were measured with multichannel thermocouple thermometers. When floral temperature was measured, the probe was inserted into the bottom of the flower. The probe for measuring ambient temperature was placed behind an adjacent leaf to avoid rain or sunlight. Fruits were collected at the beginning of April, after which the seeds were counted.

我们针对典型冬季开花灌木Brandisia hancei的宿存花萼（persistent calyx）与唇形花冠（labiate corolla）的功能优势开展研究。该物种的花萼与花冠可充当微型温室，使得花朵温度较环境温度最高可高出10℃。但经遮光处理后，这种温度偏高的现象便会消失。对花被片（perianth）进行人为操作通常会导致花朵温度与结籽量下降，而修复花冠后，花朵温度与结籽量均可恢复至原有水平。
方法
所有温度均采用多通道热电偶温度计（multichannel thermocouple thermometers）进行测定。测定花朵温度时，需将探头插入花朵基部。环境温度测定探头则置于邻近叶片后方，以避免雨水直射与阳光照射。于4月初采集果实，随后统计种子数量。