Abstract

Walsura trifoliata is an evergreen dry season-blooming hermaphroditic tree species. The flowers are nectariferous and characterized by urceolate androecium, strong protandry and secondary pollination mechanism, protruded bifid stigma displaying receptivity, self-compatibility and facultative xenogamy without the function of spontaneous autogamy. The floral traits indicate generalist pollination syndrome and adaptation for entomophily, with bees effecting mostly geitonogamy and wasps and butterflies effecting mostly xenogamy. Fruit-set is highest in xenogamy. Fruit is a globular drupe with 1-2 seeds embedded in fleshy aril. Seed dispersal modes include zoochory, barochory and hydrochory. The study shows that the function of generalist pollination syndrome, entomophily, facultative xenogamy and polychory enable this tree species to achieve highest fruit-set, maintain genetic variation through cross-pollination, and disperse its seeds to different distances in the forest ecosystem.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.