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Formation of Species

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.

Pollination and Flower Structure

Pollination and Flower Structure

Flowers are the reproductive, seed-producing structures of angiosperms. Typically, flowers consist of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. Sepals and petals are the vegetative flower organs. Stamens and carpels are the reproductive organs.

The Angiosperm Life Cycle

The Angiosperm Life Cycle

Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction allows plants to reproduce without growing flowers, attracting pollinators, or dispersing seeds. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and produced without the fusion of male and female gametes.

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Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.

Genetics of Speciation

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Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Field Experiments of Pollination Ecology: The Case of Lycoris sanguinea var. sanguinea

Field Experiments of Pollination Ecology: The Case of Lycoris sanguinea var. sanguinea

Published on: November 25, 2016

Botany: a new self-pollination mechanism.

Yingqiang Wang¹, Dianxiang Zhang, Susanne S Renner

¹South China Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.

|September 3, 2004

Summary

A novel self-pollination mechanism was discovered in a Chinese herb, utilizing an oily emulsion to transfer pollen. This finding expands our understanding of plant reproductive strategies, particularly in challenging environments.

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Area of Science:

Botany
Plant reproductive biology
Angiosperm evolution

Background:

Flowering plants typically rely on wind or animals for cross-pollination, though self-pollination also occurs.
Existing knowledge encompasses diverse genetic and morphological mechanisms for plant reproduction.
The environmental conditions of shady, windless, and insect-poor habitats present unique challenges for plant pollination.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and describe a newly discovered mode of self-pollination in a Chinese herb.
To understand the physical process of pollen transfer within the flower.
To assess the potential prevalence and ecological significance of this mechanism.

Main Methods:

Observation of pollen transport within laterally oriented flowers of a specific Chinese herb.
Identification of the role of an oily emulsion in facilitating pollen movement.
Analysis of the pathway from anther to stigma via the style.

Main Results:

A unique self-pollination process was documented, involving an oily emulsion.
This emulsion transports pollen from the anther, along the style, to the stigma.
The mechanism is specific to the flower's lateral orientation.

Conclusions:

This oily emulsion-mediated self-pollination represents a novel reproductive strategy in angiosperms.
The discovery adds to the known diversity of plant pollination mechanisms.
This process may be advantageous for plant species in low-light, windless, and insect-scarce environments.