Polinização de Vochysia lucida C. Presl (Vochysiaceae) em uma área de restinga na Bahia

Abstract

Vochysia species are Neotropical and present flowers that can be visited by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. This study aimed to analyze the interactions between the flowers of Vochysia lucida and their floral visitors in an area of restinga in Bahia State, Brazil. V. lucida is an arborescent species and presents inflorescences of the type raceme, with about 100 to 170 flowers. The flowers are zygomorphic, yellow-coloured, and considered mellitophilous. The floral nectar is produced and stored in the spur, which is localized at the calyx. The flowering peak of V. lucida was in November and December. All through the study the flowers opened at 6 h., when the stigma was already receptive. At flower opening the anther was already not more present and the pollen grains were deposited in the wall of the style, occurring secondary presentation of pollen. Petals dropped in the end of the afternoon about 17:00 h. The hummingbirds, although frequent in the flowers of V. lucida, were considered as opportunistic visitors. Among the recorded floral visitors, the large bees were regarded the most efficient pollinators, especially Xylocopa frontalis, because it has suitable morphology and behavior to contact the reproductive structures of the flower, during nectar collections, and for its high visiting frequency.