Floral biology and reproductive mechanisms of Mussambê (Cleome spinosa Jacq) aiming at the plant breeding

Abstract

Some plants from Cleome genus in Capparaceae family are used as medicinal and ornamental plants. The aim of this work was to study the fl oral biology and the reproductive mechanisms of C. spinosa to the plant breeding. Anthesis occurred between 17:30 to 18:30. The anthesis process is intimately related to climatic conditions. The main flower visitors were bees (Apis, Bombus), butterflies and bats (Glossophaga). Cleome spinosa presents mating system with predominance of outcrossing over the self-crossing, what it can evidences the wide reproductive flexibility of this species and emphasize the genetic variability, which is essential for evolution.

Keywords

• plant breeding
• reproductive system
• self-crossing
• outcrossing and Cleome spinosa