SOME ASPECTS OF POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF ARMERIA MARITIMA (MILL.) WILLD. IN BRITAIN

Pollen and stigmata of Armeria maritima are very tolerant of sea water, maritime plants showing greater tolerance than those from an inland serpentine site. After pollination, sea water impairs pollen germination only briefly, whereas distilled water adversely affects pollen tube production. The tolerance of pollen to sea water is associated with the relative humidity of the air in a way not fully understood. Bumblebee behaviour in an area of saltmarsh, dune and shingle appears to be affected by the bending of inflorescence stalks and consequent deposition of bees on wet ground. The bees’ behaviour results in restriction of gene flow between adjacent populations in different habitats.