Abstract
<em>Campsis radicans</em> is an attractive climber with typical ornitogamous flowers, native to North America. In natural conditions this out-crossed plant is pollinated mostly by hummingbirds. In Poland, where <em>C. radicans</em> is cultivated as ornamental, it rarely sets seeds. The questions addressed in the present study were: (1) What animals pollinate its flowers in Poland?, and (2) What is the reason for infrequent fruit set? Field studies conducted in five localities in Poland showed that the principal pollinator is <em>Apis mellifera</em>, and the lack of seeds is usually caused by pollinator limitation or absence of genetically different pollen donor plants.
Highlights
A simple classification of pollination syndromes (Faegri and van der Pijl 1979) was constructed for convenience in describing the complexity of pollination systems of angiosperms and recognizing traits that are usually over-represented in plants attractive to specific types of pollinators
At WA1 inflorescences of C. radicans were visited by ants (Myrmecidae), which searched for copious nectar, they did not enter the flower itself and fed exclusively on nectar exposed on a calyx
C. radicans flowers are regarded as typically ornitogamous, they share most of characters connected with birdpollination syndrome: red pigmentation, copious and diluted nectar, lack of flower scent (Faegri and van der Pijl 1979; Proctor et al 1996)
Summary
A simple classification of pollination syndromes (Faegri and van der Pijl 1979) was constructed for convenience in describing the complexity of pollination systems of angiosperms and recognizing traits that are usually over-represented in plants attractive to specific types of pollinators. One of the most cited syndromes is that of hummingbird-pollinated plants with red, scentless, tubular flowers and no landing platform for animals (Raven 1972; Proctor et al 1996). In its natural environment, open woodlands and forest edges, flowers of C. radicans are pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris). In more open habitats the plant is visited by honey bees and bumblebees which may pollinate its flowers (Bertin 1982). This kind of habitats prevails for present day populations of trumpet creeper it is frequently encountered in disturbed sites: railway embankments, fencerows, overgrown fields (Bertin 1982; Chachalis and Reddy 2000)
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