Slide 18
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FLOWERS OF COURATARI ARE ALSO POLLINATED BY EUGLOSSINE BEES
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Apical view of the flower of Couratari stellata, note the groove indicating the external flap common to all species of this genus.. |
Medial section of the androecial hood of Couratari guiansis. Note the nectar at the apex of the coil. |
The flowers of species of Couratari are the most highly evolved of all Lecythidaceae. In addition to an inward coil (seen in right hand frame), they also possess an outwardly extended flap (seen in different views in both frames) that may be an adaptation to protect the nectar from insect nectar robbers, especially trigonid bees. Species of this genus have the lowest number of stamens found in the family, note the relatively few stamens in the staminal ring of C. guianensis (right frame).