Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
PLoS One. 2023 Feb 2;18(2):e0271938. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271938. eCollection 2023.
Cinnamomum verum Blume (syn Cinnamomum zeylanicum) commonly known as Ceylon cinnamon, has gained worldwide attention due to its health benefits and its unique quality. Therefore, maintaining the yield quality and quantity is essential, especially for high-end value-added products. Knowledge on floral behaviour and reproductive biology is essential for breeding superior varieties and is critical for commercial cultivation efforts. However, limited literature is available on the floral biology of C. verum. Here in this study, we assessed the seasonal flowering, floral development and pollination of two cultivars of C. verum. Both macroscopic and microscopic data were collected on floral biology, pollination, and male and female floral organs before and after pollination. Cinnamomum verum is morpho-anatomically, structurally, and physiologically adapted for cross-pollination, possible between the two cultivars; type A (Sri Gemunu) and type B (Sri Wijaya) flowers; naturally evolved with Protogynous Dichogamy. However, due to changes in environmental conditions, female and male stages in the same tree overlap for about 45-60 min suggesting possible close-pollination within the same plant. During this event some of the pollens were observed hydrated even during self-pollination. In mean time, 4-8% of the flowers formed fruits after natural close and hand pollination which is between male and female phases of the same tree. Although C. verum is adapted for cross-pollination, natural close-pollination is also possible. The data suggest the complex nature of the sexual reproduction of C. verum. Well-managed breeding attempts with controlled factors like temperature and humidity will help to develop superior C. verum varieties.
肉桂（Cinnamomum verum Blume）通常被称为锡兰肉桂，因其对健康的益处和独特的品质而引起了全球关注。因此，保持产量和质量至关重要，特别是对于高附加值的产品。对花的行为和生殖生物学的了解对于培育优良品种至关重要，也是商业种植努力的关键。然而，关于肉桂的花生物学的文献有限。在这项研究中，我们评估了两个肉桂品种的季节性开花、花发育和传粉。在授粉前后，我们收集了花生物学、传粉和雄性和雌性花器官的宏观和微观数据。肉桂在形态、结构和生理上适应于异花授粉，可能在两个品种（A 型[斯里·杰蒙努]和 B 型[斯里·维贾亚]）之间；自然进化为雌蕊先熟型雌雄异熟。然而，由于环境条件的变化，同一棵树上的雌性和雄性阶段重叠约 45-60 分钟，表明同一棵树内可能存在近交。在此期间，一些花粉在自交时被观察到已经水化。同时，在自然近交和人工授粉后，4-8%的花朵形成果实，这发生在同一棵树的雄性和雌性阶段之间。尽管肉桂适应于异花授粉，但自然近交也是可能的。这些数据表明肉桂的有性繁殖具有复杂性。在受控因素（如温度和湿度）下进行良好管理的繁殖尝试将有助于开发优良的肉桂品种。
