Pollination ecology of Sternbergia clusiana (Ker-Gawler) Spreng. (Amaryllidaceae)

Sternbergia clusiana is pollinated by two main types of pollinators, Apis mellifera and various Syrphidae. The honey bees collect nectar and pollen from the shorter inner whorl of stamens and from the lowermost part of the funnel-shaped perianth tube. The hover flies visit mainly the appendages on t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New phytologist 1982-01, Vol.91 (3), p.571-577
Main Authors: Dafni, A, Werker, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amaryllidaceae
Apidae
Apis mellifera
Flowering
Flowers
Insect pollination
Liliaceae
Nectar
Nectaries
Plants
Pollen
Pollinating insects
Pollination
pollinators
Stamens
Syrphidae
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Summary:Sternbergia clusiana is pollinated by two main types of pollinators, Apis mellifera and various Syrphidae. The honey bees collect nectar and pollen from the shorter inner whorl of stamens and from the lowermost part of the funnel-shaped perianth tube. The hover flies visit mainly the appendages on the outer perigone and the longer stamen whorl. These appendages were found to secrete a sugar solution as well as polysaccharides and lipids. The latter probably attract the flies. It is suggested that each pollinator is attracted by a different nectary type and that the modes of pollination prevent competition between the different pollinators and are to be interpreted as maximizing the floral attraction in the harsh season of flowering (September to December).
ISSN:0028-646X
1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1982.tb03335.x