Abstract
The reproductive biology of 29 herbaceous understory monocot species was studied in a tropical cloud forest of northern coastal Venezuela (Henri Pittier National Park). Of the 23 plant species, 6 (26.1%) were self-incompatible and 17 (73.9%) self-compatible, the latter consisting of 12 (52.2%) fully self-compatible and 5 (21.7%) partially self-compatible species. An analysis of sexual systems and temporal variation of sex expression showed that of 29 monocot species, 14 (48.3%) were hermaphrodite and adichogamous, 14 (48.3%) monoecious and dichogamous, and one (3.4%) dioecious. The combination of monoecy and dichogamy prevented autogamy in 11 (91.7%) of the 12 self-compatible and monoecious species; one (8.3%) was autogamous. Of all species, 24 (82.8%) were obligate outbreeders, 2 (6.9%) spontaneously autogamous, and 3 (10.3%) partially autogamous. Ovule and flower abortion were not significantly different between the different groups. Pollen-ovule ratio was significantly different between monoecious and hermaphrodite species. The number of pollen grains and ovules per flower and the pollen-ovule ratio were variable among various pollination types. The average pollen-ovule ratio was higher in beetle-, dipteran-, and wind-pollinated species than in bee-, bird-, and bat-pollinated species. The first three pollination types were restricted to monoecious species, and the second three groups were restricted to hermaphrodite species. Of 33 plant species investigated, 12 (36.4%) displayed vegetative reproduction. The reproductive features of the understory monocot species are discussed in the context of life form, devices of cross-pollination, and geological history of the tropical cloud forest.
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Ramirez, N., Seres, A. Plant reproductive biology of herbaceous monocots in a Venezuelan tropical cloud forest. Pl Syst Evol 190, 129–142 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986189
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986189