Chamaecrista flexuosa: a possible case of atypical enantiostyly

Enantiostyly involves reciprocity in the relative positions of the sexual elements within the flower, resulting in morphologically and functionally distinct floral forms. de Almeida et al. investigate reproductive biology and the presence of deviations from the enantistylous standard form in Chamaecrista flexuosa (Fabaceae), a species mainly pollinated by large bees. They identify morphologically right and morphologically left floral morphs, together with functionally right, functionally central and functionally left morphs. Combinations of morphologically and functionally defined morphs do not occur in equal proportions. The results indicate the occurrence of an atypical enantiostyly in C. flexuosa, which seems to improve reproductive success by increasing the efficiency of pollen deposition and capture.