Nancy L. Smith-Huerta
, Associate Professor, Chief Departmental Advisor
Ph.D.
(1983) University of California, Riverside
Areas of Expertise
Pollination ecology and floral biology
Research Interests
My current research projects center on the ecology and floral biology of the annual wildflowers Clarkia unguiculata and C. tembloriensis. The research falls into two general categories. The first examines the biology of a naturally occuring homeotic mutant (cp) of floral form in C. tembloriensis. In this mutant, normal petals are replaced with organs resembling sepals. My previous investigations have described aspects of the genetics, anatomy and development of the cp mutant. Future studies will investigate the ecological and evolutionary significance of the cp mutation in Clarkia. My second area of research explores factors affecting pollen performance in C. unguiculata and C. tembloriensis. I have examined the effects that breeding system, pollen deposition patterns, floral anatomy, and nutritional status can have on pollen performance in Clarkia. I plan future studies to gain a more complete understanding of the pollination ecology of Clarkia.
Selected Publications
Smith-Huerta N.L., S.R. Carrino-Kyker and A.J. Huerta. 2007. The effects of maternal and paternal nutrient status on pollen performance in the wildflower Clarkia unguiculata Lindley (Onagraceae). Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 134:451-457.
Nemeth M. B. and N. L. Smith-Huerta. 2006. Effects of pollen load size and maternal plant on pollen performance and seedling vigor in(Onagraceae). International Journal of Botany 2:83-92.
Nemeth, M. B. and N. L. Smith-Huerta. 2003. Pollen deposition, pollen tube growth, seed production, and seedling performance in natural populations of Clarkia unguiculata (Onagraceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 164:153-164.
Nemeth, M.B. and N.L. Smith-Huerta. 2002. Effects of pollen load composition and deposition pattern on pollen performance in Clarkia unguiculata (Onagraceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 163:795-802.
Leong, L. L. Y., Wilson K.G., and Smith-Huerta N. L. 2001. A linkage map for CRINKLED PETAL: a homeotic gene of Clarkia tembloriensis (Onagraceae). J. of Heredity 92:78-81.
Kerwin M. A., and Smith-Huerta N. L.. 2000. Pollen and pistil effects on pollen germination and tube growth in selfing and outcrossing populations of Clarkia tembloriensis (Onagraceae) and their hybrids. International J. Plant Sciences 161:895-902.