3.5 Reproductive biology, distribution range and population size
of A. cantabrica
Both pistils and stamens of A. cantabrica are situated within the
corolla tube (Fig. 5A), which makes wind pollination highly improbable.
Initially, the corolla exhibits a prominent yellow ring within the
throat, which fades after pollination along with the pink of the
corolla, serving as a signal to potential pollinators (Fig. 5B). This
signalling contrasts with other Androsace species, where the
colour change post-pollination is typically more pronounced
transitioning to a deeper hue (Fig. 5C). Androsace cantabrica generally attracts various Hymenoptera and Diptera pollinators (Fig. 5D)
and shows notable variation in peduncle length due to growth conditions:
individuals growing amidst taller weeds and shrubs develop longer
peduncles (Figs. 5E and F).