Correlations of Inflorescence, Flower Structure, and Floral Anatomy with Pollination in Some Palms

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Abstract
Pollination is compared in 6 genera of palms which exhibit 2 anemophilous and 4 different entomophilous modes of pollination. The genera considered are Thrinax, Phoenix, Nypa, Ptychosperma, Bactris and Asterogyne. These genera belong to 6 of the 15 major groups of palms, and each genus presents a different character syndrome. Factors compared are inflorescence and floral structure; vasculature; occurrence of sclerenchyma, tannins and raphides; differential growth patterns; phenology; and vectors. Vasculature, sclerenchyma, tannins and raphides vary in coordination with different factors in each genus, usually in relation to the function of the appropriate organ during pollination. Thus vasculature of perianth parts relates to morphology or to phenology or to the activities of pollinators. Sclerenchyma, tannins and raphides appear to develop in specific areas where they are advantageous in allelochemic or other interactions. Some evidence indicates that tannins deter all feeding and raphides present a physical barrier. A knowledge of distribution of these features seems essential in understanding the activities of insects and other ecological relationships of palms. Although palms have been considered predominantly anemophilous, the majority appear entomophilous and structures relating to insects are present even in wind-pollinated genera. Detailed studies of pollination for many more palms are needed before primitive modes can be inferred. This study supports the widely accepted use of floral anatomy in determining relationships of plants. A wide range of vasculature and histology is demonstrated in floral organs of palms, and examples of morphological and anatomical adaptations to pollinators are described. Both the mechanisms resulting in the adaptations and the underlying patterns may be revealed by anatomical and developmental studies.

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