Abstract
Species ofAnthurium presumably are pollinated by insects. In the montane rainforests of western Colombia we recorded eight species of hummingbirds paying regular visits to the nectar-producing inflorescences ofAnthurium sanguineum. At peak-floweringA. sanguineum plays an important role in the birds' nutrition. Pollen is deposited on the tip of the birds' bills, indicating that pollination by hummingbirds occurs frequently. As no other flower visitors were recorded, we consider hummingbirds the main pollinators toA. sanguineum.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Brown D. (1988) Aroids. The plants of the arum family. Timber Press, Portland Oregon.
Croat T. B. (1980) Flowering behavior of the neotropical genusAnthurium (Araceae). Am. J. Botany 67: 888–904.
Daumann E. (1931) Nektarabscheidung in der Blütenregion einiger Araceen. Zugleich ein Hinweis auf die Bargersche Methode. Planta 12: 38–48.
Inouye D. W., Calder W. A., Waser N. M. (1991) The effect of floral abundance on feeder censuses of hummingbird populations. Condor 93: 279–285.
Hainsworth F. R. (1981) Energy regulation in hummingbirds. American Scientist 69: 420–429.
Pyke G. H. (1980) The foraging behaviour of Australian honeyeaters: a review and some comparisons with hummingbirds. Austral. J. Ecol. 5: 343–369.
Salaman P. (1996) The uncovered treasures of the Río Nambí paradise. World Birdwatch 18: 16–19.
Vogel S. (1983) Ecophysiology of zoophilic pollination. In: Lange O. C., Nobel P. S., Osmond C. B., Ziegler H. (eds.) Physiological plant ecology III. Springer, New York, pp. 559–624.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kraemer, M., Schmitt, U. Possible pollination by hummingbirds inAnthurium sanguineum Engl. (Araceae). Pl Syst Evol 217, 333–335 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984374
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984374