Anatomia floral de Epidendrum fulgens Brongn. (Orchidaceae - Epidendroideae) com ênfase no nectário e sua funcionalidade

Abstract

Epidendrum fulgens Brongn. (Orchidaceae) possibly belongs to a floral mimetic system togeth? er with Asclepias curassavica L. and Lantana camara L. The anatomical study of the nectary located in E. fulgens column may add data to understand this system. In this species, the nectary presents func- tional variations during its development. In the floral bud, the dermal system presents simple epidermis with numerous trichomes in which the nuclei and nucleoli are conspicuous with dense citoplasmatic content, suggesting high metabolic activity and secretion. However, when the column is mature, the trichomes are less numerous, sparse, and with no apparent secretion. Even though no nutritive com- pounds were identified at the nectary cavity in mature flowers, the presence of insects inside chambers denotes denotes a possible chemical attraction at any point of its floral development.