Pollination of Caryocar villosum (Aubl.) Pers. (Caryocaraceae), an emergent tree in central Amazônia

Abstract

Caryocar villosum is a common emergent tree of Central Amazonia. It is an important timber tree and source of fruit for men and animals. We study the floral biology, pollination, and breeding system of C. villosum. Data was collected from trees in an urban area, forest fragments and a continuous forest. Floral characteristics and plant-pollinator interactions were described and controlled hand-pollinations were undertaken to study breeding system. The flowers of C. villosum are brush-shaped, yellow and exposed above the canopy in terminal inflorescences. They have nocturnal anthesis, last for one nigth only and produce ca. 750 mL of nectar per nigth, which are typical traits associated with bat pollination. The especies was visited by Phyllostomus discolor and glossophaginae bats, as well as arboreal marsupials and Sphingidae moths. Hand pollinations revealed that C. villosum is self-compatible, but the number of fruits formed from cross-pollination was higher than that from self-pollination.