MIDGE-TRAPPING BEHAVIOUR AND FLORAL BIOLOGY OF THERIOPHONUM CRENATUM BLUME. RUMPH. (ARACEAE)

摘要

The species Theriophonum crenatum is a rare aroid collected from the open forest of Bilaspur (MP), It exhibited a crepuscular pollination syndrome and monophily towards a midge, Ceratopogon sp, The midges get trapped during the night hours, locked the following day, and released during the next day after having been dusted by the pollen released from the collar of male flowers. As many as 380 midges have been collected from a single blossom. The blossom is bisexual and reveals protogyny to avoid self-pollination. [References: 10]