Inbreeding, outbreeding, and heterosis in the yellow pitcher plant, Sarracenia flava (Sarraceniaceae), in Virginia

The yellow pitcher plant. Sarracenia flava, is an insectivorous plant restr icted to fire-maintained wetland ecosystems in southeastern Virginia. Only four natural sites remain in the state totaling fewer than 100 clumps. Plan t, from sites located in Dinwiddie, Grecnsville, Prince George, Sussex coun ties, and the city of Suffolk: were tested for the effects of self-pollinat ion, intrasite outcrossing, and intersite outcrossing on offspring quantity (total seed number and total seed mass) and offspring quality (avarage see d mass, germination, and growth). Self-pollination resulted in significantly lower offspring quantity and qua lity. Total seed number and total seed mass for self-pollinated capsules we re approximately one-fourth that of outcrossed capsules. Germination, survi vorship, and growth over 5 yr were also significantly lower for offspring f rom self-pollinated capsules. Together, these results suggest strong inbree ding depression in this species. Relative to offspring from intrasite crosses, offspring from intersite cros ses were significantly larger after 5 yr of growth. This suggests that rest oration efforts for Virginia S. flava will be most successful when plants f rom multiple sites are used.