REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC PALM JOHANNESTEIJSMANNIA LANCEOLATA (ARECACEAE)

The reproductive biology of the rare and endangered palm, Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata, was studied to provide basic but essential information that contributes to the conservation of the species. Floral phenology and visiting insects were observed in cultivated and wild populations. Pollen viability and stigma receptivitiy were tested for flowers of different ages. Thirty inflorescences were subjected to pollination experiments. Flowers of J. lanceolata were homogamous, with anthesis peaked from 0730 to 1100 hours. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity lasted one day. Small flies (Phoridae and Cecidomyiidae) and stingless bees (Trigona spp.) were the potential pollinators of the inflorescences. Flower abortion was high ( 90%) and seed set was very low ( 0.05%). The breeding system may be autogamy, geitonogamy or xenogamy. The species is self-compatible, indicating its ability to survive and persist in fragmented or isolated environment.