Insect and wind pollination in Urginea maritima (Liliaceae)

Three co-existing pollination mechanisms are found in Urginea maritima: insect-, wind-, and self-pollination. The flowers exhibit a typical insect-pollination syndrome; they offer abundant exposed nectar as well as pollen. Out of the many different visitors only a few could be regarded as pollinators:Apis mellifera, Polistes gallicus, and Vespa orientalis. Wind pollination also occurs and generally is responsible for self-pollination. It is argued that the development of extra wind-pollination accompanied by partial self-incompatibility is an adaptation to increase pollination in an unfavourable season (August-September), when insects are scarce.