REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY AND HYBRIDIZATION OF THE SPECIES OF ASPHODELUS SECT VERINEA (POMEL) BAKER (ASPHODELACEAE)

Reproductive biology and hybridization of the tetraploid A. fistulosus L. and the diploids A. tenuifolius Cav. and A. ayardii Jahand. and Ma ire are studied. In the three species flowering occurs in spring, and a high number of flowers open per plant a day. In A. fistulosus and A. tenuifolius the stigma rest between the anthers, while in A. ayardii the style is 3-4 mm longer than stamens, which may favours outcross po llination. Stigmas may receive pollen along the day, but pollen grains germinate only early in the evening. Pollen to ovule ratio, nectar se cretion and breeding system indicates that there is a high degree of s elf-compatibility in the three species. However, the presence of polle n vectors is absolutely necessary for seed production in A. ayardii wh ich behaves as an allogamous plant. A. tenuifolius, and A. fistulosus behave as autogamous plants, with high level of fructification in cont rolled conditions of pollination. Suggestions about the relationships among the three species are given on account of the reproductive featu res. Artificial hybridization was carried out between A. tenuifolius a nd A. ayardii, but in none of the crosses any mature fruit was obtaine d.