The flower structure of Solanum caavurana Vell. (Solanaceae) and aspects of the pollination biology

Abstract

Aspects of the pollination biology and floral characteristics of Solanum caavurana Vell. Were investigated in a semidecidual seasonal forest fragment in Paraná, Brazil. Anthesis was diurnal and the Pseudaugochlora bees have visited the flowers with more frequency than other species. Sepals and petals had homogeneous parenchymatous mesophyll. The young anther wall was composed of epidermis, two or three layers of endothecium, two middle layers and secretory tapetum. Anthers were poricidal and there was no functional longitudinal stomium. Ovary structure was simple and there was compitum with septum split. Ovules were hemicampylotropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate with hypostase. The flower of S. caavurana followed the Solanum pattern described in the literature, and the pollination should be made by bees.