Pollination systems in a warm temperate evergreen broad‐leaved forest on Yaku Island

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AbstractAnimal pollination in a warm temperate evergreen broad‐leaved forest was observed on Yaku‐shima Island, south of Kyushu, Japan. Three groups of plants were categorized: canopy‐flowering tree species, understory‐flowering tree species, and climber and epiphyte species. Each of these formed different pollination systems. The canopy‐flowering tree species had shallow, dish‐shaped flowers and utilized various types of opportunistic pollinators. Most of the climber and epiphyte species had deep, tube‐shaped flowers and specialized pollinators, although some climber species which bloomed in the canopy especially in winter, had opportunistic pollinators. The understory‐flowering tree species had large dish‐ or funnel‐shaped flowers and endothermic pollinators able to tolerate the dark and cold conditions under the canopy. The individual trees of canopy‐flowering tree species produced large numbers of flowers simultaneously (mass‐flowering) and had a well synchronized flowering period. Each canopy‐flowering tree species segregated its flowering time from those of the anothers. Climber and epiphyte species and most of the understory‐flowering tree species produced small numbers of flowers sequentially (extended flowering) and showed a long flowering period.