Tristyly

Tristyly is a rare floral polymorphism that consists of three floral morphs that differ in regard to the length of the stamens and style within the flower. This type of floral mechanism is thought to encourage outcross pollen transfer and is usually associated with heteromorphic self-incompatibility to reduce inbreeding.[1] It is an example of heterostyly and reciprocal herkogamy, like distyly, which is the more common form of heterostyly. Darwin first described tristylous species in 1877 in terms of the incompatibility of these three morphs.[2]

  1. ^ Barrett, S. C. H.; Cruzan, M. B. (1994). Williams, E. G.; Clarke, A. E.; Knox, R. B. (eds.). "Genetic control of self-incompatibility and reproductive development in flowering plants". Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants. 2: 189–219. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-1669-7_10.
  2. ^ Darwin, Charles (1877). The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species. London: John Murray.