POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF HUMBOLDTIA VAHLIANA WIGHT. (FABACEAE) - AN ENDEMIC TREE OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS

摘要

A study on pollination biology of Humboldtia vahliana Wight., an endemic plant of Southern Western Ghats was carried out in wild conditions. The plant starts flowering in the month of February and extends up to May and reaches a peak during March. Theflowers are white coloured and open in the evening between 1800-2100 h. Stigma remains receptive at the time of anthesis and extends up to the next day evening. Different pollen viability tests indicated that 80-85% pollen grains are viable on the day of anthesis and its viability gradually decreased on successive days after anthesis. Honey bees, butterflies, moths and ants are the major floral visitors. Habitat destruction, environmental factors, over exploitation of the species, recalcitrant nature of the seeds, seed infestation and poor seedling recruitment in the natural habitat could be the reason for its narrow distribution.