The effects of warming on floral traits
Abstract
Climate change is a significant threat to plant survival and reproduction. Warmer temperatures could affect floral traits that are important for attracting pollinators and for regulating flower temperature. I grew Cucumis sativus at ambient or ambient +4 °C temperatures to determine if warming affects plant development (date of anthesis, floral display size, biomass), UV-floral traits, and the composition and concentration of floral flavonoids. Warming accelerated the date of anthesis and increased floral display size but did not affect plant biomass. Although warming decreased floral area, it increased the UV-absorbing proportion of flower area, so UV-absorbing area was not significantly affected by warming. Warming did not affect the composition of floral flavonoids but did increase their concentration. In conclusion, warming accelerated plant phenology and increased floral flavonoid concentrations but further research is required as the observed changes in UV traits could influence both pollinator attraction and temperature regulation.