Abstract
Studies related to floral biology are essential for the understanding of the ecological relations between different species, and the beginning of breeding programs. In this way, the aim of the study was to elucidate aspects of floral and reproductive biology and floral visitors of this species. Information about floral morphology and morphometry, anthesis, nectaries and pollinator attractive structures, characterization of floral visitors, receptivity of androcytic stigma and maturation, in vitro pollen storage and germination, and characterization of the reproductive system were obtained. The guabiju tree has hermaphrodite flowers, and the floral opening occurs mainly during the night, but also in the morning. Anthers are the main attractive structure to the pollinating insects, releasing fetid odor, attracting mainly flies and wasps characterized as occasional pollinators, and moths characterized as effective pollinators. For the germination of pollen, it is recommend using it without desiccation, collected in post-anthesis, and for the culture medium the use of 11% of sucrose and 7% of boric acid. Pollen presents recalcitrant behavior, so even when stored in refrigerator, freezer, liquid nitrogen and natural environment lose viability in less than 30 days. It presents high reproductive efficiency, and can be considered self-compatible; however, fertilization also occurs by cross-pollination.
Highlights
The Myrtaceae family belongs to the Angiosperm classification, Myrtales order and comprises about 100 genera and 3,000 species of trees and shrubs, distributed by all continents, except Antarctica (Marchiori & Sobral, 1997).It is one of the most representative families in the different vegetation formations of Brazil, possessing great wealth and phytosociological importance for the Brazilian forests (Leitão-Filho, 1993; Barroso & Peron, 1994)
Through the observations made in this study (Figure 1), it is possible to infer about the characterization that guabiju tree has single leaves with a whole margin, with characteristic spinescent apex, and opposite disposition
The floral opening of guabiju tree occurs mainly during the night, with approximately 75% starting the anthesis at approximately 10:00 p.m., completing it in approximately 2 hours
Summary
The Myrtaceae family belongs to the Angiosperm classification, Myrtales order and comprises about 100 genera and 3,000 species of trees and shrubs, distributed by all continents, except Antarctica (Marchiori & Sobral, 1997).It is one of the most representative families in the different vegetation formations of Brazil, possessing great wealth and phytosociological importance for the Brazilian forests (Leitão-Filho, 1993; Barroso & Peron, 1994). The Myrtaceae family belongs to the Angiosperm classification, Myrtales order and comprises about 100 genera and 3,000 species of trees and shrubs, distributed by all continents, except Antarctica (Marchiori & Sobral, 1997). The native species occupy a prominent position in the physiognomy of the forests of Southern Brazil, being represent in the Mixed Ombrophylous Forest, Pluvial of the Atlantic Slope, and in the Seasonal forests of Alto Uruguai or Serra Geral (Marchiori & Sobral, 1997). Among the species of Myrtaceae, the guabiju tree (Myrcianthes pungens (Berg) Legrand) stands out mainly for its ecological, ornamental and nutritional characteristics of the fruits It has a large occurrence and was found from the State of São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul in the semideciduous forests of altitude (Marchiori & Sobral, 1997)
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