The present study aimed to characterize the reproductive and leafing phenology of tree species of a coastal-plain forest from Southeastern Brazil and to relate the observed patterns with the local biotic and abiotic factors. The study was carried out in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo de Picinguaba, Ubatuba, São Paulo State (23°22'30"S; 44°46'-44°51'45"W). The climate is tropical-wet, with a high rainfall well distributed throughout the year. Monthly observations were carried out from July 1993 to June 1994 on 290 individuals of 46 tree species. The leaf fall was considered non-seasonal (Rayleigh test not significantly), while leaf flushing > 25%, flowering and fruiting were defined as weakly seasonal (Rayleigh test significantly, but low r values). Flowering and leaf flushing were more intense during the wettest months, from November to February. Fruit production was constant along the year. Ninety percent of the species were defined as evergreen and 87% of the species present animal-dispersed fruits. The phenological patterns observed for the coastal-plain forest at Picinguaba were weakly seasonal, contrasting with the very seasonal patterns found in the semideciduous forests from Southeastern Brazil.
Phenology; Atlantic forest; flowering; fruiting
