Garcinia brasiliensis: insights into reproductive phenology and sexual system in a Neotropical environment

作者：Leal D O^*; Benevides C R; Silva R C P; Santiago Fernandes L D R; Sa Haiad B; Lima H A

来源：Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2013, 299(8): 1577-1585.

DOI：10.1007/s00606-013-0833-7

• Clusiaceae
• Anatomy
• Breeding system
• Apomixis
• Restinga

Sexual systems play a key role in the ecology and evolution of plant populations. Research on Garcinia L. has shown the occurrence of variations in the sexual systems of this genus, with some authors considering it as dioecious, and for some species as gynodioecious or androdioecious. The population of G. brasiliensis in the restinga of Marica is dioecious with two individuals characterized as monoecious. Anatomical analysis showed that one has pistillate and sterile staminate flowers, being an unusual female and the other has staminate and perfect flowers (functional pollen grains and ovules), being andromonoecious. In addition, field observations, controlled hand-pollinations, reproductive phenology and anatomical analysis showed no evidence of apomixis in this Neotropical species, different from that provided in the literature for paleotropical species. However, asexual reproduction occurs through ramets suggesting that in this environment of restinga the seedlings are subjected to considerable limitations, and vegetative propagation becomes an important alternative for the occupation of the environment. Flowering episodes occurred throughout the study period, featuring a subannual and long-lasting flowering pattern mainly due to multiple blooms of male plants. The floral characters observed in G. brasiliensis are often associated with a generalist pollination system. Apis mellifera and Trigona spinipes are the effective pollinators of G. brasiliensis flowers. Our findings provide new insights into the reproductive biology of Garcinia.

• 出版日期2013-10