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Floral ecology, breeding system and pollination in Antigonon leptopus L. (Polygonaceae)
Author(s) -
Raju Aluri Jacob Soloman,
Raju V. Kanaka,
Victor P.,
Naidu S. Appala
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
plant species biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1442-1984
pISSN - 0913-557X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-1984.2001.00060.x
Subject(s) - biology , pollination , pollinator , ecology , botany , pollen
Antigonon leptopus is a tropical climber, which grows year‐long with alternation between flowering, fruiting and vegetative phases. Dianthesis, temporal dioecy and facultative xenogamy are exhibited by A. leptopus flowers, which are obligately dependent on vectors for pollination. Pollination vectors are unspecialized and promiscuous, even for short‐tongued anthophiles. The flowers are foraged by bees, wasps, flies, butterflies and thrips with the first group playing a key role in pollination. Antigonon leptopus is also capable of thriving by vegetative reproduction. The dual reproductive behavior exhibited by A. leptopus is an adaptation for its survival as a successful weed in tropical latitudes.