Sistema reprodutivo e polinização de Lepidagathis sessilifolia (Pohl) Kameyama ex Wassh. & J.R.I. Wood (Acanthaceae), em remanescente florestal da região sudoeste de Mato Grosso, Brasil

Abstract

The genus Lepidagathis has pantropical distribution and about 100 species, 16 occurring in Brazil, mostly in the Midwest and Southeast regions. The research was carried out to evaluate in the understory of a forest remnant in Tangará da Serra County - MT to examine the flowering phenology, describe the floral morphology and biology and verify the floral visitors to evaluate the system and reproductive success through hand pollination tests. Lepidagathis sessilifolia shows spiciform and terminal inflorescence with calyx of pink color and corolla whitish-pink. Flowering was restricted from March to April, during the rainy season. Floral senescence occurred after 24 or 48 hours. The viability of pollen grains was high (92.5%). The effective pollinator of L. sessilifolia was Partamona nhambiquara (Apidae - Meliponini). The mixed mating system of the species is characterized by the formation of fruits by agamospermy, self and cross-pollination, spontaneous self-pollination, agamospermy and outcrossing. This flexible reproductive system is advantageous because it ensures the maintenance of species in the study area even in the absence of pollinators.