Abstract
ABSTRACT Oncidiinae is an exclusively Neotropical orchid subtribe with about 1600 described species and an impressive array of vegetative and floral morphological adaptations. We present the results of a literature survey on the pollination strategies and breeding systems of this orchid subtribe. The flowers are pollinated by a wide range of insects (mostly bees) and, sometimes, hummingbirds. Several genera reward their pollinators with floral resources such as oils, nectar or perfumes. Whereas pollination by oil-gathering bees likely evolved several times within Oncidiinae, exclusive pollination by perfume-gathering male Euglossine bees is likely restricted to a set of closely-related genera. Pollination by food or sexual deception is also present within the subtribe. Up to date, the pollen-vectors of the 92 species of Oncidiinae studied so far are as follows: 84.7 % are pollinated by bees, 6.5 % by wasps, 4.3 % by hummingbirds, 3.2 % by butterflies and 3.2 % by flies. Oncidiinae orchids are preferentially self-incompatible (69.4 % of the species studied so far), some may also present protandry as a mechanism to promote cross-pollination. Fruiting success is generally low. The rate of visitation with subsequent pollination is low, in general, which contributes to the low reproductive success of this plant group.
Highlights
Orchid flowers and their structures have long been studied in detail by researchers from all around the world, lured by their high potential as ornamental plants (Dressler 1961; 1974; Pijl & Dodson 1966; Cingel 2001)
We present the results of a literature survey on the pollination strategies and breeding systems of this orchid subtribe
The flowers of Oncidiinae orchids generally feature lips much bigger than the rest of the perianth, often presenting ornamentations – the socalled “callus” or “calli” (Fig. 1) – or secretions, which serve as attractors to pollinators or floral visitors
Summary
Orchid flowers and their structures have long been studied in detail by researchers from all around the world, lured by their high potential as ornamental plants (Dressler 1961; 1974; Pijl & Dodson 1966; Cingel 2001). The flowers of Oncidiinae orchids generally feature lips much bigger than the rest of the perianth, often presenting ornamentations – the socalled “callus” or “calli” (Fig. 1) – or secretions, which serve as attractors to pollinators or floral visitors. They may present a thickened structure on the base of the column, the tabula infrastigmatica (Fig. 1). Even when the number of individuals is large enough within a small area, plants may not flourish satisfactorily in quantitative terms (not all individuals flower) or flower irregularly, not drawing sufficient attention from potential pollinators
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