Comparative pollination role of stamens and breeding system in three species of Commelina (Commelinaceae) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

This study investigated pollination mechanisms and breeding systems in five Commelina variants: two subspecies of Commelina diffusa (C. diffusa subsp. aquatica and C. diffusa subsp. montana, each having two staminodes); two variants of C. erecta (with three staminodes); and C. lagosensis (also with three staminodes). In all three species, the staminodes have six lobes but only two fertile lateral lobes. We collected field samples and cultivated new plants from stem cuttings. When the plants flowered, we evaluated floral morphology, floral biology and breeding systems, creating eight separate e...