![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
The flower structure, pollination, sex expression, and some secondary sex characters of Melicytus lanceolatus, M. ramiflorus, and M. micranthus are described. All three species are strictly dioecious. Male-biased sex ratios occur in M. lanceolatus and M. ramiflorus. There is a marked contrast in flower structure between M. lanceolatus and the other two species. In M. lanceolatus, as in most species of the Violaceae, the pollen is concealed by apical appendages of the anther connectives and fusion along the edges of adjacent anthers. Nectar is concealed within purple petals. In the flowers of M. ramiflorus and M. micranthus, the anthers are free and the apical appendages are much reduced, so the pollen is exposed. The petals are white or yellow and are recurved, exposing the nectaries. M. lanceolatus represents the more primitive condition, and the other two species show a loss of specialisation of flower structure, the reverse of the usual trend in floral evolution in the angiosperms. The three species are insect pollinated. A variety of insect species visit the flowers of M. lanceolatus and M. ramiflorus. Syrphids are the only insects which visit flowers of both sexes of M. micranthus. Foraging behaviour of most insect species on the flowers is unsystematic. Fruit of all species are adapted for animal dispersal and two species of birds were seen feeding on berries of M. ramiflorus.
