Pollinator-mediated pollen transfer and floral longevity in Penstemon digitalis
Data files
May 20, 2026 version files 89.93 KB
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Breed_system_data.xlsx
11.78 KB
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Pollen_tubes_base.xlsx
12.21 KB
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Pollen_tubes_top.xlsx
12.19 KB
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README.md
6.67 KB
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Seeds_over_day_and_year.xlsx
12.08 KB
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Single_visit_pollen_deposition.xlsx
11.20 KB
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Stigma_pollen_grains.xlsx
11.94 KB
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Stigma_pollen_over_day_and_year.xlsx
11.85 KB
Abstract
This data package contains datasets associated with a study examining pollinator-mediated pollen transfer, stigma receptivity, floral longevity, and seed production in Penstemon digitalis (Plantaginaceae), an early spring-flowering perennial of prairie communities in northwestern Missouri, USA.
The study evaluated how pollinator visitation and floral longevity interact to influence pollen accumulation, pollen tube growth, and reproductive success. Experiments included breeding system crosses, single-visit pollen deposition experiments, stigma pollen accumulation studies, pollen tube growth analyses, and seed production measurements.
All datasets are associated with the manuscript:
" Adaptive Floral Traits that Impact Stigma Pollen Load and Seed Production in Penstemon digitalis (Plantaginaceae)"
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.xpnvx0kwt
Description of the data and file structure
Study System
Penstemon digitalis is protandrous with flowers exhibiting an approximate three-day floral lifespan.
Floral day definitions:
- D1 = male phase; anthers dehiscent and stigma unreceptive
- D2 = first female phase day; stigma receptive
- D3 = second female phase day; stigma receptive
Flowers sampled during different days of anthesis represent independent flower-level observations. Flowers were not repeatedly sampled across days.
General Sampling Notes
- Each row within datasets represents an independent observational unit.
- Independent flowers and plants were sampled among experimental treatments and floral days.
- Plant_ID values identify individual plants sampled during experiments.
- Flowers sampled in separate experiments were not necessarily sampled from the same plants.
Files and variables
File: Pollen_tubes_base.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains pollen tube counts observed reaching the base of styles sampled across days of flower anthesis. Part of an experiment on stigma receptivity.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Day | Floral day sampled (D1, D2, D3) |
| NTubesBase | Number of pollen tubes observed reaching the base of the style |
Notes
Each row represents an independent flower-level observation.
File: Pollen_tubes_top.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains pollen tube counts observed in the top quarter of styles sampled across days of flower anthesis. Part of an experiment on stigma receptivity.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Day | Floral day sampled (D1, D2, D3) |
| NTubesTop | Number of pollen tubes observed in top quarter of the style |
Notes
Data were used to evaluate temporal patterns of pollen germination and pollen tube growth.
File: Single_visit_pollen_deposition.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains pollen grain deposition counts resulting from single bee visits to virgin flowers.
Experimental Design
Virgin flowers were exposed to a single visit by an individual bee and subsequently collected for stigma pollen counts.
Bee Taxa
- Anthophora terminalis
- Bombus spp.
- Ceratina spp.
- Hoplitis pilosifrons
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Bee_Taxon | Bee taxon visiting the flower |
| Pollen | Number of pollen grains deposited following a single visit |
Notes
Each row represents an independent flower-level observation.
File: Stigma_pollen_over_day_and_year.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains stigma pollen grain counts from naturally pollinated flowers sampled across years and the two days for stigma receptivity.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Year | Sampling year |
| Day | Floral day sampled (D2, D3) |
| Pollen | Number of pollen grains observed on the stigma |
Notes
Different flowers and plants were sampled among years and floral days.
File: Stigma_pollen_grains.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains stigma pollen counts collected from flowers sampled across days of flower anthesis. Part of an experiment on stigma receptivity.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Day | Floral day sampled (D1, D2, D3) |
| Pollen | Number of pollen grains observed on the stigma |
Notes
Flowers sampled during different days were independent observations.
File: Breed_system_data.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains results from breeding system experiments evaluating fruit production under different pollination treatments.
Pollination Treatments
- Autogamy (A) = flowers bagged with no manual pollination
- Self (S) = flowers hand-pollinated using pollen from the same plant
- Outcross (X) = flowers hand-pollinated using pollen from different plants
- Open (O) = flowers exposed to natural pollinator visitation
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Type_of_Cross | Pollination treatment |
| Flowers_Crossed | Number of flowers assigned to the treatment |
| Fruits_Produced | Number of fruits produced |
Notes
Data were used to evaluate breeding system characteristics and dependence on pollinator-mediated pollen transfer.
File: Seeds_over_day_and_year.xlsx
Description: This dataset contains seed production measurements from naturally pollinated flowers sampled across years and the two days for stigma receptivity.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant_ID | Unique identifier for each plant |
| Year | Sampling year |
| Day | Floral day sampled (D2, D3) |
| Seeds | Number of seeds produced per fruit |
Notes
Data were used to evaluate relationships between floral day, pollen accumulation, and seed production.
Code/software
Statistical Analyses
Count-based response variables were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) or generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) with negative binomial error structures.
Fruit production data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests due to separation issues associated with zero fruit production in some treatments.
Statistical analyses were conducted in R.
Experiments involved manipulation of flowers and bee visitation. Flowers were tagged as buds and followed through anthesis. Flowers were labeled as Day 1 flowers for the first day of anthesis with anthers dehisces and stigmas not receptive. Flowers were labeled as Day 2 flowers for the second day of anthesis when stigmas were recurved and receptive (first day female). Flowers were labeled as Day 3 flowers on the third day of anthesis when stigmas were bent and still receptive (second day female). Day 1 flowers received natural pollination and bagged at the end of day 1. Day 2 flowers received natural pollination and bagged at the end of day 2. Day 3 flowers received natural pollination and never bagged.