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Floral Biology of Impatiens trichocarpa Hook. f., (Balsaminaceae) an endemic Balsam of Western Ghats


Affiliations
1 Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode-695 562 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
 

Floral biology of Impatiens trichocarpa, an endemic and horticulturally promising balsam from Western Ghats, has been conducted. It flowers during July to November with optimum flowering in the month of September. Anthesis occurred in the night time between 0200 to 0300h and dehisced one day before anthesis. Pollen grains are spherical, light yellow in colour and 32.72μm in diameter. The maximum percentage of stigma receptivity (82%) observed on the day of anthesis. Bees, flies and butterflies forage at the flowers; but bees serve a better pollinator. Nectar production begins soon after anthesis and continues through flower life. The seed germination was limited to 35% which may be one of the reasons for its restricted distribution.

Keywords

Anthesis, Floral Biology, Impatiens trichocarpa, Stigma Receptivity, Western Ghats
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  • Floral Biology of Impatiens trichocarpa Hook. f., (Balsaminaceae) an endemic Balsam of Western Ghats

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Authors

S. K. Kulloli
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode-695 562 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
A. K. Sreekala
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode-695 562 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
A. G. Pandurangan
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode-695 562 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Abstract


Floral biology of Impatiens trichocarpa, an endemic and horticulturally promising balsam from Western Ghats, has been conducted. It flowers during July to November with optimum flowering in the month of September. Anthesis occurred in the night time between 0200 to 0300h and dehisced one day before anthesis. Pollen grains are spherical, light yellow in colour and 32.72μm in diameter. The maximum percentage of stigma receptivity (82%) observed on the day of anthesis. Bees, flies and butterflies forage at the flowers; but bees serve a better pollinator. Nectar production begins soon after anthesis and continues through flower life. The seed germination was limited to 35% which may be one of the reasons for its restricted distribution.

Keywords


Anthesis, Floral Biology, Impatiens trichocarpa, Stigma Receptivity, Western Ghats

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst%2F2009%2Fv2i2%2F29389