Pollination Biology and the Breeding System of Acacia Retinodes (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)
Open Access
- 1 January 1984
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden
- Vol. 71 (1) , 17-29
- https://doi.org/10.2307/2399054
Abstract
Coastal populations of A. retinodes Schldl. var. uncifolia J. M. Black are protogynous and highly self-incompatible. Flowers are nectarless but insects apparently are attracted to the inflorescences both by the yellow floral color and distinctive fragrance. Neutral red tests suggest that the scent originates from the stigma and epidermal cells of the anthers. Floral foragers represented 3 insect orders but interpretations of field observations and pollen load analysis of insects indicate that solitary bees in the Colletidae and Halictidae are the major pollen vectors. The method for removal of pollen from the anthers is via thoracic vibration. Because female phase flowers offer no pollen, foraging by bees on such flowers is interpreted as a trend towards partial pollination by deceit.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: