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Floral biology of Manilkara subsericea and Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Sapotaceae) in restinga

Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard and Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) T.D. Penn. display inflorescences of a fasciculate type, with perfect, nectariferous, odoriferous and hercogamous flowers. They present protogynic dichogamy and daylight anthesis. The corolla is gamopetalous, with the basal region of the lacinia forming a small tube. The medial lacinia, in both species, curves toward the flower axis, forming a type of groove, in which the stamen is lodged. The anthers are versatile, extrorse, and rimose. Pollen grain release is cloud-like, on account of an explosive mechanism upon activation of the lacinia-stamen device. The flowers were visited by bees, butterflies, beetles, flies and Thysanoptera, being pollinated by Xylocopa ordinaria and Apis mellifera bees, by the Brachygastra lecheguana wasp and by the Isanthrene incendiaria butterfly.

explosive release of pollen; floral biology; Manilkara subsericea; Sapotaceae; Sideroxylon obtusifolium


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