RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. 1864.05.15. Dichogamy / Common Rhubarb. CUL-DAR76.B91. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 12.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR 76-79 contain material for Darwin's book Cross and self fertilisation (1876).


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Dichogamy May 15th / 64

Common Rhubarb from tall stalks & numerous flowers with white perianths is conspicuous but perhaps not more so than a dock─ it is not fertilised by the wind. Filaments short— pollen moderately coherent— the 3 stigmas capitate— turned almo down almost to base of corolla— the margins seem chiefly penetrated by pollen-tubes. Flowers are incessantly haunted by Diptera if many kinds which suck the nectar secreted round base of ovarium. These flies are dusted with

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pollen. Hence clearly adapted for insects yet on calm fine day I saw, after a blow a cloud of pollen— hence may be aided by the wind & shows means of transition.— I have seen clouds of pollen 2 or 3 times. Twice on same hot day same stalk on a blow emitted clouds of pollen— Certainly good transition state— Stigma never turn up— is bent down to gangway all round base of ovarium — edges of large stigmas fill up nearly whole space & edges are evidently stigmatic.


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 1 June, 2023