[Pollinator] Favorite methods for sampling (i.e., selecting) flowers?

[Carla Essenberg]

I am embarking on some projects in which I will be measuring floral traits
(including reward production) in various shrubby species, and my students
and I are having a little trouble working out a good, quick protocol for
selecting flowers to measure.  Ideally, we would select flowers at random
from each plant.  Failing that, we would at least have a method that was
consistent across individual plants and wasn't biased towards particular
flower sizes or colors.  Do any of you have methods that you like and would
be willing to share?

The species we'll be sampling this summer are low-bush blueberries,
blackberries, Lyonia ligustrina (an upright shrub, with clusters of
flowers), and possibly an Ilex species (an upright shrub with flowers at
leaf axils).

My students and I will be most grateful for any suggestions!

Yours,

Carla

-- 
Carla Essenberg
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Bates College
44 Campus Ave.
Lewiston, Maine  04240
Office: Carnegie 411
Office/lab phone: 207-786-6410

Preferred pronouns: She/her/hers

<http://bates.edu/activeally> <http://www.bates.edu/campus/greendot/cats/>
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