Call number: LD2668 .T4 1961 A43

Human preference of flowers is a largely unexplored area of research. Although some authors mentioned this topic, it was usually a very brief comment. They typically stated that flowers are most likely preferred because of their coloration and symmetry. But flowers have many forms and colors and it is obvious that some of them are preferred more than others. The aim of this paper was to explore which morphological characteristics of flowers are important for human preference. We discuss how individual differences between people affected their rating of flower attractivity. The effect of flower color, symmetry, complexity, angularity and prototypicality on human preference was experimentally verified. It is described how the flower preference can be influenced by the sex, age, level of expertise and other characteristics of the raters. The results can provide a valuable source of information for experts in horticultural therapy, garden and interior designers, plant breeders, gardeners and other persons interested in the aesthetic value of flowers. There is a lack of relevant sources on this topic not only in the Czech Republic, but also worldwide.

The study of foraging behaviour in plant-pollinator mutualisms has benefitted from the use of artificial flowers to manipulate floral display traits and the delivery of floral rewards. The two most common floral rewards are pollen and nectar; some pollinators, such as bees, are obliged to collect both for survival and reproduction. While flexible designs for artificial flowers providing nectar rewards abound, useful designs for artificial flowers that dispense pollen are few. This disparity mirrors a heavy emphasis on nectar collection in the study of pollinator foraging behaviour. In this study we describe a novel, easily constructed and modifiable artificial flower that dispenses flexible amounts of pollen via an ‘anther’ composed of a chenille stem. Using controlled lab assays, we show that more pulverized honeybee pollen is collected by bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) workers at chenille stem feeders than at dish-type feeders. We suggest that the paucity of studies examining pollinator cognition in the context of pollen rewards might be partly remedied if researchers had access to inexpensive and easily adjustable pollen-offering surrogate flowers.

Orientador: Marcia Ortiz Mayo Marques / Banca: Roselaine Facanali / Banca: Laura Maria Molina Meletti / Resumo: As flores das espécies do gênero Passiflora têm recebido especial atenção por sua extraordinária beleza e complexidade da corola além de suas intensas fragrâncias. A presença de tecidos secretores de compostos voláteis (CVS) nas flores de Passiflora é muito variável, têm grande importância ecológica e prospecção econômica. Atualmente, só se tem registro dos CVs das fragrâncias florais de algumas poucas espécies, obtidos por meio de diferentes metodologias, com resultados variáveis. Durante os anos 2011 e 2012 foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa em parceria UNESP/FCA - Botucatu e Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) para estudar parâmetros da biologia floral e obter a primeira coleção brasileira dos perfis químicos das fragrâncias florais de cinco espécies de Passiflora L. (Passiflora edulis Sims., P. alata Curtis., P. cincinnata Mast., P. coccinea Aubl. e P. quadrangularis L.). As cinco espécies foram cultivadas em ambiente protegido. Os compostos voláteis das fragrâncias das flores de cada espécie foram capturados com a técnica de Headspace dinâmico (HSD) e as fragrâncias avaliadas através de teste olfativo. A análise da composição química das fragrâncias foi conduzida em cromatógrafo a gás acoplado a espectrômetro de massas e a identificação dos constituintes químicos foi efetuada através dos índices de retenção (IR) seguido da análise comparativa dos espectros de massas com diferentes bancos de dados especializados. Os resultados demonstraram que as espécies estudadas apresentam diferenças significativas na biologia floral, relacionados com o período de floração, desenvolvimento dos botões florais, numero e tamanho das flores produzidas. As composições químicas das fragrâncias florais das espécies estudadas têm grande diversidade interespecífica, assim como interessante potencial na... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The flowers of the species from the genus Passiflora have received special attention for its extraordinary beauty, complexity of the corona and for their intense fragrances. The presence of volatile compounds (VCs) secreting tissues in the flowers of Passiflora is highly variable and have major ecological and economic survey. Currently, there are records of the VCOs of floral fragrances from a few species, obtained by different methods with varying results. During the years 2011 and 2012 a research was carried out as a master's dissertation in partnership between the UNESP-Botucatu/IAC, to study the floral behaviors and developed the first Brazilian collection of the chemical profiles from the floral fragrances of five species of Passiflora L. ( Passiflora edulis Sim, P. alata Curtis., P. cincinnata Mast., P. coccinea Aubl. and P. quadrangularis L.). The five species were grown in a greenhouse following specific recommendations. The fragrances of the flowers from each species were evaluated by sensory test and the VCOS were collected with the technique of Dynamic Headspace (DHS). The analyses of the chemical composition of fragrances were conducted using a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometer. The identification of the chemical constituents was carried through the calculation of retention indices (RI) followed by comparative analysis of mass spectra with different specialized databases. The results of the flowering period, development of floral buds, size and number of flower produced showed significative differences between the studied species. Also, the chemical compositions of the floral fragrances from the studied species had large interspecific diversity, as well as interesting potential in the fragrance industry, particularly the floral fragrance of P. alata. The olfactive analysis revealed that this species is highly promissory due... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A comunidade de insetos visitantes de flores de clones do eucalipto urograndis (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla) foi estudada em um plantio localizado na Fazenda Areão, em Piracicaba, SP (22° 41 41 S e 47° 38 5 3 W ) por meio de levantamentos semanais com rede entomológica, durante os florescimentos de 2007 e de 2008 com a finalidade de caracterizar seu potencial apícola com a determinação de sua apifauna associada, e das características de néctar produzidos por suas flores. A comunidade antófila nos dois anos do levantamento foi representada por 29.492 indivíduos pertencentes a 6 ordens, 21 famílias, 43 gêneros e 52 espécies. A apidofauna foi representada por 24.882 indivíduos pertencentes a 11 gêneros e 10 espécies. A abelha africanizada Apis mellifera, o visitante mais efetivo em todo o levantamento (80,96%), seguida do sirfídeo Ornidia obesa (5,29%) e do mantispídeo Zeugomantispa virescens (4,26%). Os índices de diversidade (H) e equitabilidade (E); foram distintos nos dois levantamentos indicando distribuição de espécies mais uniforme na coleta de 2007 em relação à de 2008. Dentre as demais espécies predominantes, destacaram-se as abelhas Trigona spinipes (irapuá), Tetragonisca angustula (jataí), e Nannotrigona testaceicornis (iraí). As concentrações médias encontradas por clones foram inferiores ao relatado na literatura, sendo os valores máximos variando entre 13 e 14%. As diferenças encontradas entre alguns clones possivelmente foram influenciadas pela altura de algumas plantas. / The community of insect flower visitors of eucalyptus urograndis clones (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla) was studied in an plantation located at Areão farm, in Piracicaba, São Paulo state, Brazil (22° 41 41 S e 47° 38 53 W ). Weekly collections were conducted using hand net during the bloom periods of 2007 and 2008 in order to characterize the potential for beekeeping by determining the associated apifauna and the nectar characteristics produced by the flowers.The anthophilous community in the two-year survey was represented by 29,492 individuals belonging to 6 orders, 21 families, 43 genera and 52 species. The apidofauna was represented by 24,882 individuals belonging to 11 genera and 10 species. The Africanized honey bee Apis mellifera. This species was the most effective visitor throughout the survey (80.96%) followed by the syrphid Ornidia obesa (5.29%) and the mantispid Zeugomantispa virescens (4.26%). The diversity (H\') and equitability (E) indices were different between the two surveys showing that species distribution was more uniform in the collecting of 2007 when compared to the 2008. Among the other dominant species, the bees Trigona spinipes (Irapuá bee), Tetragonisca angustula (jataí bee), and Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Iraí bee) were the main ones. The differences found between some clones were possibly influenced by the height of some plants.

As florestas plantadas de eucalipto tem sido muito importantes para o suprimento de materia prima para diversas finalidades, principalmente a partir da madeira. O gênero é também conhecido por apresentar uma gama importante de espécies potenciais para fornecimento de óleos essenciais a partir das folhas. No Brasil, no entanto, a produção de óleo essencial tem ficado restrita a algumas poucas espécies. Dessa forma, é importante a condução de estudos, que possam ampliar a base de novos materiais para obtenção de óleo essencial. Visando suprir tal demanda, que se propôs esse estudo, o qual procurou avaliar novos materiais, incluindo não só as folhas mas também as flores das árvores de diferentes espécies e clones de eucalipto, para produção de óleos essenciais. Fora realizadas extrações de óleos essenciais por arraste a vapor, para determinação de seus rendimentos, além de análises cromatográficas para identificação de seus componentes químicos. Os resultados indicaram: a) os maiores rendimentos nos óleos essenciais das folhas foram observados para E. staigeriana (1,599%) e C. citriodora (1,26%), e os menores para C. ptychocarpa (0,021%); b) E. exserta (0,613%) e o E. resinifera (0,587%) apresentaram potencial para utilização de seus óleos essenciais, frente ao seus elevados rendimentos, e a presença importante de 1,8 cineol; c) Os maiores rendimentos para óleo essencial das flores foram observados para GFMO 03 (0,518%) e os menores para E. exserta (0,109%); d) o clone GFMO 03 apresentou flores com maior rendimento em relação as folhas, o que pode estar relacionado ao melhoramento genético realizado para favorecer suas características de floração; e) as substâncias dos óleos essenciais das folhas podem auxiliar na identificação e diferenciação das espécies; f) os óleos essencias das flores apresentaram 6 substâncias que não foram encontradas nas folhas; g) muitas das substâncias que compõem os óleos essenciais das flores estão presentes no própolis, sugerindo que estas possuem vínculo com a ação de polinizadores atrelados a produção apícola; h) a elevada concentração de substâncias de interesse nos óleos essenciais de eucalipto demonstram sua importância como fornecedores de matéria prima para indústria; i) as espécies foram agrupadas a partir da composição química dos óleos essenciais das folhas, o que determinou 4 grupos e 6 subgrupos, os quais podem estar relacionados com a área de ocorrência natural das espécies estudadas; j) GFMO 03 e GFMO 10 estão, respectivamente no mesmo grupo de E. grandis e E. tereticornis, espécies as quais compõem o material genético dos clones, indicando que as características de óleo essencial são possivemente preservadas mesmo após hibridação. / The planted eucalyptus forests have been very important to supply material for a variety of purposes, mostly from wood. The genus is also known to have an important range of potential species to source essential oils from the leaves. In Brazil, however, essential oil production has been restricted to a few species. Hence, it is important to conduct studies that may extend the number of new materials to obtain essential oil. In order to meet such demand, this study was proposed, which sought to assess new materials, including not only the leaves but also the flowers of trees of different species and clones of eucalyptus, for the production of essential oils. Essential oil extractions were performed by steam distillation, to determine their yield, and chromatographic analysis to identify their chemical components. The results indicated: a) the highest yields in essential oils of leaves were observed for E. staigeriana (1,599%) and C. citriodora (1,262%), and the lowest for C. ptychocarpa (0,021%); b) E. exserta (0,613%) and E. resinifera (0,587%) had potential for use of their essential oils, due to their high yields and the important presence of 1,8 cineole; c) the highest yields in essential oils of flowers were observed for GFMO 03 (0,518%) and the lowest for E. exserta (0,109%); d) the clone GFMO 03 showed flowers with highest yield in essential oil than the leaves, which may be related to genetic improvement done in order to favor their flowering characteristics; e) the substances in essential oils of leaves may assist the identification and differentiation of species; f) the essential oils of flowers had 6 substances that were not found in the leaves; g) many of the substances in essential oils of flowers are present in propolis, suggesting that they have connection with pollinators activities linked to beekeeping; h) the high concentration of substances of interest in essential oils of eucalyptus demonstrate its importance as suppliers of raw materials for industry; i) the species were grouped by the chemical composition in essential oils of their leaves, which resulted in 4 groups and 6 subgroups, which may be related to the area of natural occurrence of the studied species; j) GFMO 03 and GFMO 10 are, respectively, in the same group of E. grandis and E. tereticornis, species which compound the genetic material of the clones, indicating that the essential oil features are probably preserved even after hybridization.

Examining the ecological processes generating evolutionary patterns is crucial to understanding how biodiversity arises and evolves. One of the most striking examples of evolutionary diversification is provided by the flowering plants (angiosperms) and their flowers. Pollinators are traditionally considered to be the most important selective agents and drivers of floral diversity. However, many angiosperms have a generalized floral morphology and are visited by a diverse and overlapping suite of pollinators, making it unclear how pollinators could have driven diversification in these taxa. In addition, flowers and plant reproductive success are likely to be influenced by factors other than pollinators, such as herbivores, precipitation, and temperature. These factors need to be considered along with pollinators in order to improve our understanding of angiosperm evolution and diversification. In my thesis, I focussed on the processes influencing adaptation and diversification in flowering plants in the genus Mertensia (Boraginaceae), which have relatively unspecialized flowers that attract a variety of nectar- and pollen-feeding insects. In Chapter One, I explored correlations among floral traits, vegetative traits, and flowering phenology across 12 Mertensia species. In Chapter Two, I assessed reproductive isolating barriers between related Mertensia species occurring in sympatry. In Chapter Three, I examined the ecological function of floral orientation in two Mertensia species with respect to pollinators and precipitation. First, across Mertensia species, I found that early-flowering species were shorter, produced fewer flowers, and occurred at higher altitudes than late-flowering species—suggesting a life-history trade-off between plant size and flowering phenology, as well as an altitudinal effect on both traits. Interspecific variation in floral traits was not strongly associated with variation in flowering phenology or plant size. Second, between sympatric M. brevistyla and M. fusiformis populations, I found weak reproductive isolating barriers and possible hybridization. Most pre-pollination barriers were weak, as the two Mertensia species shared similar habitats, flowering phenology, and pollinator assemblages. The two relatively strong barriers were floral (ethological and mechanical) isolation and post-pollination isolation: Pollinators transferred significantly more of a pollen analogue among conspecific than heterospecific plants in mixed-species arrays, and flowers yielded higher seed set when receiving conspecific rather than heterospecific pollen in hand-pollination experiments. Lastly, I found that floral orientation was more likely to be under selection by precipitation than by pollinators, in that paternal fitness (i.e., pollen germination) was reduced by contact with water and that pollinator-mediated selection via maternal fitness (i.e., seed set) was not detected. A more pendant floral orientation likely protects the relatively long and exposed anthers of M. fusiformis from rain, while the less pendant M. brevistyla does not require this protection because of its shorter, more concealed reproductive structures. Although I detected an effect of floral orientation on seed set, I was not able to identify the selective agents driving this effect. In summary, my results suggest that pollinators play a minor role in influencing floral adaptation and diversification in Mertensia. Instead, the dominant influences on the traits I examined appear to be life-history trade-offs, environmental conditions that vary along altitudinal gradients, and abiotic variables (e.g., precipitation). It is important to consider these factors and their influences on paternal and maternal fitness in order to gain a broader perspective on floral evolution in plants with generalized pollination systems.

 la fin du Moyen Âge les fleurs sont fréquemment représentées dans les tapisseries, les manuscrits enluminés et les tableaux. L’objectif de l’étude est d’établir qu’il ne s’agit pas d’un simple procédé décoratif. Les fleurs, support naturel de la couleur, constituent un système symbolique par analogie dont la fonction est de guider le spectateur dans sa lecture de l’image. La construction des images en réseaux signifiants avec la flore symbolique accompagne un comportement nouveau, la Devotio Moderna, sous l’influence des ordres Mendiants, notamment les Dominicains. L’objectif est de guider le fidèle lors de ses prières. Les imagiers utilisent également ce système pour représenter les rois français Valois qui souhaitent proclamer leur lien privilégié avec Dieu. L’étude de ce système symbolique, contenu et structure, nous permet de mieux comprendre la mentalité médiévale avec sa façon particulière de penser le monde. / At the end of the Middle Ages flowers are frequent in tapestries, manuscripts and paintings. The aim of this study is to prove they are not just decorative items but that they have their own function in images. These flowers, especially by means of their colours, make up a symbolical system aiming at guiding the reader to understand the inner sense of symbolical images. This special way of composing images is concomitant with a new way of praying God, the Devotio Moderna, under the supervision of preachers, especially the Dominicans. The image-makers also use these new patterns to picture the French Valois kings in order to assert their alleged special relationship with God. The study of this symbolical system, contents and structure, enable us to understand better the particular medieval way of thinking the world.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Divinity School, August 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

<p>This mini-thesis is concerned with histories of flower selling in Cape Town. Since the late 19th century, images and imaginings of the flower sellers in Adderley Street and to a lesser degree in other areas of the city attained an outstanding place in visualisations and descriptions of Cape Town. The flower sellers were thereby characterised in a particularly gendered, racialised and class-specific way as predominantly female, coloured and poor. This characterisation dominated to an extent that it is possible to speak of a discursive figure of the ̕̕Cape Town flower sellers̕̕. In tourism-related media and in personal memoirs, the ̕̕Cape Town flower sellers̕̕ often came to represent both the city and the inhabitants of Cape Town. The images and imaginings of the &lsquo / Cape Town flower sellers&rsquo / can partly be traced back to representations of ̓̓̕̕flower girls̕̕ in fictional stories, paintings, photographs and film in Europe, particularly in Great Britain. In Cape Town, this European discourse about flower selling developed in a specific way within colonial, apartheid and post-apartheid contexts.</p>