Twice blooming flowers of Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. (Magnoliopsida: Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae), a key forage source for insects during wet season in habitats disturbed by humans

Abstract

Antigonon leptopus is an elegant weedy species that thrives well during wet season in habitats disturbed by humans; it shows vegetative and reproductive events in this season. Its flowers bloom twice with pollen and nectar presentation on day 1 and nectar presentation on day 2 for use by insects that act as pollinators. The flowers are unspecialized with exposed sex organs and presenting pollen and nectar which are easily accessible by the probing insects while collecting the floral rewards and effect pollination. The field study indicates that it acts as a key forage source for insects.