Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
Volume
94
Publication Date
1-1-1987
First Page
407
Last Page
419
Abstract
Floral biology of a primary rain forest palm, Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm. A detailed account of the changes in visitor numbers and behaviour, inflorescence phenology, and breeding systems is presented. lnflorescences open early in the morning (05.00 hours). Stigmas remain receptive for 15 h, while anther dehiscence occurs 20 h after inflorescence opening. Maximum pollen viability occurs the next day at 05.00 hours. This combination of features largely precludes self-pollination. Controlled pollinations show that apomixis and auto-pollination are absent, and indicate strong in compatibility. In contrast cross-pollinations do not differ in fruit set from open-pollinated controls. The fruit set in inflorescences exposed to pollinators for different periods after opening (and later stopping pollinator activity by fumigation), indicates that pollination occurs soon after inflorescence opening.
Recommended Citation
Burquez, Alberto; Sarukhan, Jose; and Pedroza, Ana L., "Floral biology of a primary rain forest palm, Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm." (1987). Bu. Paper 32.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_bu/32