HoneyGrevillea

=__HoneyGemGrevillea __=

__Group Members:__ Andrew R., Cindy C, Stine J., Sam F., Tina K.

Plant species: //Grevillea Honey Gem// (a cultivar between //Grevillea banksii// (red form) and //Grevillea ptedifoliria//) Plant family: //Proteaceae// Common name: Honey Gem, Little Honey Distribution: Not applicable, In any dry water-wise garden. (Originally from Qld) Habit: Tall habit with fern-like leaves; Erect shrub to 2m in height Flowers: Bright Yellow-Apricot and Honey-Yellow coloured flowers for most of the year; individual flowers are borne relatively loosely on the racemes Fruit: Pods, Not woody and retained on plant Seed: Produces viable seed (2-3)

Stigma to Ovule: 30.4 Stigma and Anther: 24.2 Between flowers: 4 Angle of flower: 22.8 Total Flower: 0.480 Anther: 0.011 <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Style: 0.380 <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stigma: 0.022
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Average Morphology Measures **<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">(mm) **<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">: **

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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pollination and Fertilisation

 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The flowers are bisexual, and pollen is shed before the stigma becomes receptive. Pollinating agents, such as honeybees and birds, are required for the flowers to develop into mature seeds. They collect nectar and pollen from the Honey Gem.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Animals are relied on for cross fertillisation, and the period from fertilisation to maturity is about 2 months. The fruit opens during hot, and dry weather, and seeds are released, which can be carried significant distances by wind.

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**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Floral Morphology and Visitations **

 * Patterns of fingerlike projections were visible when the //Grevillea// was inspected under a microscope. The stigma acts as a pollen presenter when immature. Under natural conditions by the time the stigma becomes receptive, pollen has been removed by pollinators.
 * When the flowers were dissected, anthers containing pollen were visiblly pressed up against the stigma. The angle of the style allows animals like the honeybee and various birds to land on the flower.

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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Variability of Floral Morphology

 * The //Grevillea// genus has over 300 diverse flowering plants, with the //Grevillea Honey Gem// being a “hybrid” between two species, as aforementioned. With so many varieties it is not surprising that the //Grevillea// genus is incredibly diverse in their growth habits, flower styles and colours, and foliage.
 * The variability in floral morphology of the //Grevillea Honey Gem// could potentially be very high because it is a mix between two species.

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**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pollen Morphology **

 * The shape of the pollen from the naked eye resembles a peanut. The pollen grains are fairly abundant within each flower, and are also countable. Each grain is approximately 5mm.
 * Potential Pollinators: Birds or mammals based on the large distance between stigma and their food reward, nectar. Woody/sturdy branches of whole plant also provide habitat for potential pollinators.
 * Structure and development promote cross pollination. As the style unfurls, pollen is stuck to the unreceptive stigma, which is picked up by pollinators. After pollen is removed, the stigma becomes receptive to other pollen. The large distance from the anthers to the stigma also indicates perhaps a bigger insect or animal could be responsible for pollination.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Observations: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Three distinct corners, triangular shape
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Surrounded by clear thin layer

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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nectar Characterisation
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Average nectar content per flower: ~8.57uL <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The sugar content was found to be 12.9% after 6 flowers