• Generally, floral characteristics and pollination are important factors enhancing the quality and quantity of reproductive output for regeneration in plant conservation. However, lack of evidence-based management could decrease fitness under ex-situ conservation. We investigated the capitulum and pollination characteristics of Eriocaulon heleocharioides Satake (Eriocaulaceae), which is extinct in the wild, to develop an evidence-based conservation management plan incorporating previously ignored reproductive characteristics.
• To evaluate the functional characteristics of capitula, pollen–ovule ratio, and reproductive status (maximum pollination success/florivory damage) were investigated along six flowering sequences of capitulum. To evaluate the effect of plant density on pollen transfer, high- and low-density plots were established. Total deposited pollen on stigma, insect visitation, and visit duration per capitulum were observed.
• A significantly lower pollen–ovule ratio was observed in the first of six capitula, reflecting higher female functionality. The highest pollination success was found in the second–fourth capitula, whereas florivory increased along the terminal capitula position. High plant density affected the pollen deposited on stigmas via insect visitation and low pollinator visit duration.
• Different capitula in E. heleocharioides could have different effects: different sexual functionality, enhancement of reproductive output both in quality and quantity through active pollen transfer, and escaping from florivores. High plant density could facilitate outcross-pollen transfer in E. heleocharioides. Multiple perspectives are important for determining potential reproductive success in ex-situ conservation. Thus, density management reflecting capitulum characteristics could improve the efficiency of conservation efforts for E. heleocharioides.

中文翻译：

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用于循证保护管理的野生已灭绝物种 Eriocaulon heleocharioides 的花卉和授粉特征

• 一般来说，花卉特性和授粉是提高植物保护再生繁殖产量质量和数量的重要因素。然而，缺乏循证管理可能会降低异地保护下的适应性。我们调查了在野外已经灭绝的Eriocaulon heleocarioides Satake（Eriocaulaceae）的头状花序和授粉特征，以制定一个基于证据的保护管理计划，其中包含以前被忽视的生殖特征。
• 为了评估头状花序的功能特征，沿着头状花序的六个开花序列研究了花粉 - 胚珠比率和生殖状态（最大授粉成功率/花序损害）。为了评估植物密度对花粉转移的影响，建立了高密度和低密度地块。观察柱头上沉积的总花粉、昆虫访问和每个头状花序的访问持续时间。
• 在六个头状体中的第一个中观察到显着较低的花粉 - 胚珠比率，反映了更高的女性功能。在第二到第四个头状花序中发现了最高的授粉成功率，而沿着末端的头状花序位置增加了花香。高植物密度通过昆虫访问和低传粉媒介访问持续时间影响沉积在柱头上的花粉。
• E. heleocharioides 中的不同头状花序可能具有不同的效果：不同的性功能、通过主动花粉转移在质量和数量上提高生殖产量，以及逃离食花动物。高植物密度可以促进E. heleocarioides 中的异交花粉转移。多种观点对于确定异地保护的潜在繁殖成功率很重要。因此，反映头状花序特征的密度管理可以提高E. heleocarioides保护工作的效率。