Flower symmetry in Saxifraga revisited

Abstract Monosymmetry in flowers has evolved many times from ancestors with polysymmetrical flowers. Flower symmetry characteristics often lack intraspecific variability. The genus Saxifraga represents an exception high variations of floral between and within species even individual plants. Lab-based studies could show that this variation is to some extent caused by the flowers’ response gravity thus varies regularly horizontally vertically oriented Here, we investigate inter- intra-individual flower size, colouration, three species, stellaris , S. rotundifolia paniculata . In all stamen initiates sequential movement mostly downward pointing. terminal are larger than other size guides colour stronger on upward pointing 3 petals diagonally flowers, whereas two have paler or smaller guides. septum carpels horizontally. We discuss evolution monosymmetry regard morphological referring defined mirror plane carpels, moving stamens, visual pollinators view pattern visible features.