This study aimed to investigate the flowering biology and reproductive characteristics of Camellia oleifera Abel. in northeastern Guizhou, China, by focusing on four locally cultivated cultivars (Minyu 2, Minyu 3, Qianyu 1, and Qianyu 2). Assessed parameters included flowering phenology, floral morphology, pollen viability dynamics, stigma receptivity, and reproductive characteristics classification. All cultivars exhibited concentrated flowering between October and November, with ‘Minyu 3’ categorized as mid-flowering and the others characterized as early-flowering types. Average flower longevity was 8 days. Visible wilting began 5 to 6 days postanthesis. Significant floral variation was noted. All cultivars had large flowers, with androecium lengths surpassing pistil heights; however, ‘Minyu 2’ exhibited notably larger corollas than those of the others ( P < 0.05). Stigmas reached receptivity 2 days before anthesis, peaked at 1 to 3 days postanthesis, and lost receptivity by day 7. A strong correlation ( P < 0.05) between 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining (0.5%) and in vitro germination confirmed TTC as an efficient viability assay, whereas acetocarmine and peroxidase staining overestimated viability. Scanning electron microscopy revealed tricolporate pollen with reticulate–vermiculate exine ornamentation across cultivars and significant variations in lumina size, density, and spatial configuration. Pollen-to-ovule (P/O) ratios and outcrossing indices (OCI) confirmed obligate xenogamy requiring pollinator mediation. These findings offer essential insights for regulating flowering periods in high-yield cultivation and inform parental selection and optimal pollination timing in hybrid breeding programs.
XU et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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