page_title: Sexual selection in flowering plants
section_title: Inflorescences
hierarchical_section_title: Sexual selection in flowering plants / Sexual dimorphisms / Inflorescences
caption_attribution_description: English: A flower poster. Esperanto: Flora afiŝo. Français&#160;: Un poster floral Čeština: Různé rostliny v tabulce
context_page_description: Sexual selection is described as natural selection arising through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex. Sexual selection is a common concept in animal evolution but with plants, it is oftentimes overlooked because many plants are hermaphrodites. Flowering plants show many characteristics that are often sexually selected for. For example, flower symmetry, nectar production, floral structure, and inflorescences are just a few of the many secondary sex characteristics acted upon by sexual selection. Sexual dimorphisms and reproductive organs can also be affected by sexual selection in flowering plants. Therefore, sexual selection is a major driving characteristic of floral evolution.
context_section_description: Inflorescences can be acted on by sexual selection in many ways, and commonly include arrangement, number, and size. For example, male inflorescence in plants often produce more flowers than females . Furthermore, pollen export and ultimately paternity, often increases with flower number, even for plants with hermaphroditic flowers. Retention of older flowers with no pollinator rewards can lead to increased pollinator visitation rate and increased pollen removal. Studies suggest that there has been selection for increased pollen delivery, achieved through greater inflorescence size, and it seems probable that male-male competition is commonly part of that selection pressure.
caption: Inflorescence and Corolla Differences
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