Data from: Persistent inner tepals and wings protect developing seeds of Rheum nanum from insect herbivory in Central Asian cold deserts

Although the post-dispersal functions of diaspore (fruit and its
appendages) have been reported, little is known about their
protective/defensive functions. In this context, Rheum nanum diaspores
with appendages (persistent inner tepals and/or fruit wings) that
experienced pre-dispersal herbivory by insects in natural populations
of Rheum nanum were investigated, i.e., the percentage of
diaspores with appendages damaged by insects; The data of the seed
abortion percentage, seed and embryo masses, and germination of seeds from
diaspores with different categories of insect herbivory of R.
nanum.  These experimental indices were used to answer the
following questions:  (1) How prevalent is pre-dispersal insect
herbivory in natural populations of R. nanum? (2) Do seeds abort when
diaspores receive pre-dispersal insect herbivory?  (3) What are
the impacts of pre-dispersal insect herbivory on seed mass and germination
of R. nanum?