Re: [Aroid-l] Pollinatrion in KY

**&* B* <j*@msn.com>**

From : 	ExoticRainforest <Steve@ExoticRainforest.com>
Reply-To : 	Discussion of aroids <aroid-l@gizmoworks.com>
Sent : 	Friday, July 13, 2007 6:42 AM
To : 	"Discussion of aroids" <aroid-l@gizmoworks.com>
Subject : 	Re: [Aroid-l] Pollinatrion in KY

DEar Steve and Brian,

The pollen (and maybe residual nectar?) on Brian`s Anthurium spadix may 
indeed just be providing a rich food source for the ants, they may not be 
actually pollinating by transfering the pollen from one spadix to another.
In the genus Anthurium there are several species which produce MANY ripe 
friut w/ viable seed with NO pollination (this is called being an 
''apomictic" species), such as A. gracile shown in Plate #16 of Deni Bown`s 
great Aroid book, so Steve`s A. schlechtendalii may also belong to this 
select group.
Back in Trinidad, W. I.,  Anthurium gracile grows by the thousands in huge 
masses on the thick horizontal limbs of the Samaan trees (think of the 
largest live oak you have ever seen!), and when in fruit these masses of 
green leaves w/ scarlet blankets literally covering the upper portions and 
sides of these limbs is a sight to behold!
I did not finish my story on my Dad`s Anthuriums, we also had great numbers 
of small Anolis lizards which ran freely up and down all over the spadices, 
I always thought with their greater range of travel in a faster time that 
THESE might have been the pollinators, but then again it might have been the 
ants OR the fruit flys attracted by the sweet nectar!

Good Growing,

Julius

>>Brian,

I have a large Anthurium schlechtendalii that produces a spathe and spadix 
each summer about this time, got one now.  The only insects in my atrium in 
any quantity are ants.  They always climb up and down the spadix.  Almost 
without fail, each September I have viable seed berries and have grown small 
plants several years. It certainly appears the ants are doing the job.

Steve Lucas
www.ExoticRainforest.com

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Brian Williams
    To: Discussion of aroids
    Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2007 4:08 PM
    Subject: [Aroid-l] Pollinatrion in KY

    Julius I thought it was interesting that they would be on the flower
    with pollen. From what I can tell it looked like they were eating it or
    taking it as well. Maybe the pollen was still a bit sweet from the
    nectar? Either way I think they could easily be pollinating the plants.
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