Ramirez et al. 2008 (Article) Hechtia, Mexico

Reproductive biology of Hechtia schottii, a dioecious Bromeliaceae, in Mexico

Author(s):—I.M. Ramírez M., F. Chi May, G. Carnevali Fernández-Concha & F. May Pat

Publication:—Revista de Biología Tropical Vol. 56 (1): 279-289. (2008)

Abstract:—Hechtia schottii is a terrestrial, rosetofilous, dioecious, polycarpic succulent herb, that grows mainly in shrubby associations, and less frequently, in secondary low caducifolious forests, both on calcareous soils or limestone outcrops in Yucatan and Campeche States, Mexico. We studied phenology, floral and pollination biology, and breeding system at Calcehtok, Yucatan, during two flowering seasons. Plants bloom mainly dur - ing the dry season (November-April) and disperse seeds during the rainy season (May-October). Both floral morphs have diurnal anthesis; pollen is removed ca. 1 h after anthesis starts and both floral morphs are visited by several insect species, especially bees, but results suggest that the introduced honey bee, Apis mellifera, is the pollinator. Controlled crossings show that the species is functionally dioecious and requires to be serviced by pollinators based on fruit setting only in unassisted cross pollination crosses. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (1): 279-289. Epub 2008 March 31.

Keywords:—Hechtia schottii , Bromeliaceae, reproductive biology, dioecy, pollinators, Mexico, Yucatán.