Reproductive biology of <i>Montrichardia arborescens</i> (Araceae) in French Guiana

Abstract

Data on the pollination biology of neotropical aroids are still scarce and concern only a few species (Beath 1999, Croat 1997, Gibernau et al . 1999, 2000; Mayo et al . 1997 and references cited therein). It appears from these studies that Anthurium , Monstera and Spathiphyllum are on the whole pollinated mainly by bees (but see Kraemer &amp; Schmitt 1999), whereas Dieffenbachia , Homalomena , Syngonium , Philodendron and Xanthosoma are generally beetle-pollinated. Although araceous inflorescences may be visited by several insect taxa (Madison 1979), only a few are the legitimate pollinators for each species (Seres &amp; Ramirez 1995, Valerio 1984, Young 1986).