Flowering biology of Galeobdolon luteum (Lamiaceae) in Moscow region 

Vladimir N. Godin, Doctor of biological sciences, associate professor, professor of the sub-department of botany, Moscow Pedagogical State University (building 1, 1 Pirogovskaya street, Moscow, Russia); leading researcher, Central Siberian Botanical Garden of Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (101 Zolotodolinskaya street, Novosibirsk, Russia), E-mail: godinvn@yandex.ru
Nataliya G. Kuranova, Candidate of biological sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the sub-department of botany, Moscow Pedagogical State University (building 1, 1 Pirogovskaya street, Moscow, Russia), E-mail: nkuranova@inbox.ru
Irina N. Barsukova, Candidate pf biological sciences, associate professor of the sub-department of biology, Katanov Khakass State University (90 Lenina street, Abakan, Khakass Republic); senior staff scientist, Central Siberian Botanical Garden of Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (101 Zolotodolinskaya street, Novosibirsk, Russia), E-mail: saphronovairina@mail.ru
Viktoriya A. Koren'kova, Student, Moscow State Pedagogical University (building 1, 1 Pirogovskaya street, Moscow, Russia), E-mail: mayakorenkova2005@gmail.com 

Background. Galeobdolon luteum Huds. (Yellow archangel) is a perennial creeping herbaceous short-rhizome polycarpic plant. Literature information on the biology of flowering and pollination in G. luteum is scarce. Materials and methods. Our observations were carried out in natural conditions of the Moscow region from 2019 to 2021 according to generally accepted methods. Results. G. luteum forms two types of inflorescences: an apical open thyrsus and an intercalary inflorescence, the floral zone of which is an open thyrsus. Thyrsus subunits are cymoids represented by 3-flowered, rarely 4-, 2-, or 1-flowered dichasia. The flowers of G. luteum are slightly protandrous or adichogamous. The lifespan of the flowers is 3-7 days. G. luteum has a daily flowering rhythm, in which the flowers open during almost the entire daylight hours. Conclusions. G. luteum has a complex of morphological features of flowers and inflorescences characteristic of melittophilous plants. Such features include bright color of flowers, large zygomorphic flowers with a prominent and stable landing area, anthers and receptive surfaces of the stigma are hidden under the upper lip, the presence in ring of hairs (nectarostegium), deep location of nectaries, formation of compact, stable and durable thyrsi for insects. 

Galeobdolon luteum, flowering biology, entomophily 

Godin V.N., Kuranova N.G., Barsukova I.N., Koren'kova V.A. Flowering biology of Galeobdolon luteum (Lamiaceae) in Moscow region. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Estestvennye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Natural sciences. 2022;(3):16–27. (In Russ.). doi:10.21685/2307-9150-2022-3-2