Erica carnea (E. herbacea)

[Thomas G. Lammers]

At 08:29 AM 12-16-97 +0500, Elaine Chittenden wrote:

>I checked the ASPT membership list for Erica and Ericaceae specialists and
>got no matches.  My question has to do with the observed color change in
>flowers of E. carnea.
>
>I've read (and I can't remember where) that this color change occurs after
>flowers have been pollinated.  Now I cannot remember if they become lighter
>or darker after pollination and am hoping some one can verify this
>phenomenon or help me by suggesting a reference which documents/discusses this.
>
>It is for interpretive labeling in Beal Botanical Garden

There was paper on color change in flowers in Amer. J. Bot. a couple years
ago: M. R. Weiss, 1995.  Floral color change: A widespread functional
convergence.  AJB 82: 167-185.  Lobelia excelsa of Chile does same thing.

Thomas G. Lammers

Classification, Nomenclature, Phylogeny and Biogeography
of the Campanulaceae, s. lat.

Department of Botany
Field Museum of Natural History
Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496 USA

e-mail:    tlammers at fmnh.org
voice mail: 312-922-9410 ext. 317
fax:                312-427-2530

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