Abstract
Phenological studies help the understanding of species behavior as a result to environmental changes and are also important for species conservation and management. The phenology of Paratecoma peroba (Record & Mell) Kuhlm. was studied from October/2005 to December/2007 in Mata do Carvão (Guaxindiba Ecological Station), São Francisco do Itabapoana, RJ. The observations were done in one-month intervals, except the floweringthat was done at two weekintervals. Forty two individuals were systematically observed. They showed phenological pattern characterized by the seasonal occurrence of the phenophases, with leaf senescence occurring at the beginning of the dry season and the leaf fall between the middle and the end of this season. New leaves were flushed at the beginning of the wet season. Fournier intensity values were low for reproductive phenophases and only trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) > 16 cm sprouted flowers. Reproductive phenophases started at the end of dry season of 2005, with flowering occurring in the transition of the dry to the wet season. Fruiting was long (one year), starting at the beginning of the wet season (November) with dispersion of the anemocoric seeds occurring at the beginning of the following wet season. However, in the following years (2006-2008), flowering did not occur. This species was classified as deciduous, with a supra-annual flowering period.
Key words:
flushing; flower buds; phenology; Atlantic forest; shedding