Pollination ecology of Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robinson (Lauraceae): A commercially and medicinally important semi-evergreen tree species

Abstract

Litsea glutinosa is a semi-evergreen wet season blooming tree species. It is a dioecious plant characterized by separate staminate and pistillate trees occurring in a 3:1 ratio. The inflorescence is a solitary and compound pseudo-umbel consisting of involucral bracts each producing several staminate or pistillate nectariferous florets. The florets display myophilous pollination syndrome and are pollinated by flies as well as other insects. The natural fruit set does not exceed 30%. The Bruchus beetle is a fruit pest that causes infestation of 23% of total fruits produced. Fruit dispersal occurs by gravity and by the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica).

Keywords

• Litsea glutinosa
• dioecy
• myophily
• fruit infestation