Floral biology of banaba, Lagerstroemia Speciosa (Linn.) Pers.

Date

4-2007

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Ecology Genetics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Analinda M Fajardo

Abstract

Three Lagersiroemia speciosa trees were used to determine its floral morpho-anatomical features, phenology and effect of pollination on fruit set. In each tree, some inflorescences were tagged and bagged. Terminal inflorescences had perfect actinomorphic flowers that exhibited heteranthery and herkogamy. High correlation was found among ovary characteristics and between floral diameter, staminal and petal characteristics. Floral opening was highest during the mid-cycle of bud development and in the inflorescence with most florets. Flowers remain open for four days but were visited only on the first two days. Flowers open at 5:00-5:30 am and anthesis at 6:00-10:30 am. The dry, yellow, tricolporate and spheroidal pollen had an area of 3776-5320iim. Viable pollen was insignificantly higher in the long stamen (98.14%) than in the short stamen (97.16%). Only 38% of the total pollen counted was from the long stamen. Pollen was the primary reward as observed being collected by the floral visitors. Six insect species belonging to five families were observed visiting the flowers. Fruit set in unbagged inflorescence was 96.25% higher than bagged ones. Although, average fruit set in unbagged inflorescence was only 42.6%. Heteranthery and herkogamy also indicated the need for pollinators to effect pollination. These results show that entomophily was necessary for fruit setting in L. speciosa and the primary pollinator was Xylocopa sp.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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