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Flowering synchronization within species and between species

Among the different species a flowering synchronization exists, that means, in a collection for example Astrophytum myriostigma flower significantly on the same day together. Other species, such as Astrophytum capricorne and so on have their own synchronization at another date.

Results of synchrony in an experiment in 2003, table numbers in percentages;
229 participating plants; 3145 flower-events (sum of flowers per day);

.	A. ornatum	A. myriostigma	A. capricorne	A. asterias
A. ornatum	19	5	2	2
A. myriostigma	5	27	3	4
A. capricorne	2	3	19	6
A. asterias	2	4	6	21

From the matrix we see that for example Astrophytum asterias best synchronized with each other, but with Astrophytum ornatum at least. The synchronization also reflects the presumed ancestral relationships.

The synchronous flowering of plants in nature have the advantage of enhanced pollination and reproduction. The trigger for the collective flowering is told in literature mostly as approaching bad weather. But even the moon phase has already been suspected or complete independence from the weather. According to culture observations by the author bad weather (rain, cold, low light intensity) prevents the anthesis, whilst some additional, unfinished buds develop to maturity. When the weather changes to optimal conditions, then all buds open to bloom. So also multible flowers at a plant are understandable, even an Astrophytum usually opens only one flower on the same day.

Literature:
BLANC, A. (1886); BACKEBERG, C. (1948) zit. PORSCH, O. (1938); FRIC, A. V. (1925 b); GRÄSER, R. (1930 c, 1961, 1961 b); HEYER, W. (1986); HOOCK, H. (1990 b), (2008 S. 211); KAYSER, K. (1932); KLESZEWSKI, K. P. (1990); MASTRANGEL, W. (1953); MC CABE, H. (1929); PORSCH, O. (1938); RITTER, F. (1930); RÜMPLER, TH. (1886); ROST, E. C. (1925); SADOVSKY, O.; SCHÜTZ, B. (1979); (1925); STRIGL, F. (1986).

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