FLORAL BIOLOGY OF MYRISTICA INSIPIDA (MYRISTICACEAE), A DISTINCTIVE BEETLE POLLINATION SYNDROME

Abstract

The floral biology and pollination of Myristica insipida were studied in two different rain forest communities in Queensland. Floral morphology of M. insipida resembles that of M. fragrans in virtually all respects. The majority of female flowers were receptive 48–72 hr. Male flowers were shorter‐lived, functional for 12–48 hr. Both male and female flowers opened daily between 1800 and 2200 hr, but the activity of floral visitors did not begin until the next morning. The inconspicuous, creamy‐white to light‐green flowers had a strong, pleasant “floral” fragrance. The male flowers only offered pollen as a reward, and female flowers, offering no reward, were judged to function by automimicry. A taxonomically diverse array of small, pollen‐foraging beetles were the effective pollinators, although thrips and ants were common floral visitors. In almost all respects, the beetle pollination syndrome of Myristica differs from the cantharophily of most other primitive angiosperms.