Rasgos funcionales de semillas de Calycophyllum candidissimum (Rubiaceae), árbol pionero del Neotrópico

Abstract

Calycophyllum candidissimum is a pioneer tree of Neotropic, melliferous, timber, medicinal and ornamental. In Cuba it is considered an Near Threatened species; however, little is known about the biology of its seed. In order to contribute to its propagation and conservation, morphophysiological characteristics of seeds, dormancy classes and germination requirements werestudied. Germination was evaluated in laboratory conditions under light and constant darkness at room temperature (27,5 ± 2 oC). The fruits presented an average of 49 viable seeds, small, with low initial moisture content (9,25 %) and with developed and spatulated embryos. The seeds only germinated in the light (positive photoblastic), but the germination process of those in dark quickly resumed in the light. A part of the lot was non-dormant, while another part presented physiological dormancy. The ecological role of the identified traits is discussed and recommendations for nursery planting are provided. Citation: Gutierrez, A., Pernus, M. & Sanchez, J.A. 2020. Rasgos funcionales de semillas de Calycophyllum candidissimum ( Rubiaceae ), arbol pionero del Neotropico. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 41: 71-77. Article history : Received: 4 May 2020. Accepted: 15 July 2020. Online: 26 September 2020. Editor: Jose Angel Garcia-Beltran.