塔落岩黄芪主要传粉蜂的传粉效率研究

塔落岩黄芪 (Hedysarum laeve)是毛乌素沙地重要豆科植物, 在我国西部生态系统恢复与重建中起着重要作用, 但其自交率非常低, 必须依靠传粉昆虫授粉才能结实。野生传粉蜂是其主要传粉者。为了明确塔落岩黄芪的主要传粉蜂组成及优势传粉蜂的传粉效率, 2004–2006年, 我们设置了4个2 m×2 m样方观测访花昆虫的组成并对主要传粉蜂的访花频率、花粉移出率和柱头花粉沉降数目及单花停留时间进行了观测。结果表明白脸条蜂(Anthophora albifronella)、海切叶蜂(Megachile maritima)和散熊蜂(Bombus sporsdicus)是塔落岩黄芪的主要传粉蜂, 其中白脸条蜂在数量和访花频率上占有明显优势, 但其花粉移出率比海切叶蜂和散熊蜂的低, 3种蜂的柱头花粉沉降数目没有显著区别。通过对这3种蜂的花粉移出率、柱头花粉沉降数目和访花频率综合分析后, 我们认为白脸条蜂是塔落岩黄芪最有效的传粉蜂。     

高山物种栗色鼠尾草(Salvia castanea Diels)访花昆虫多样性与传粉行为变化

唇形科鼠尾草属是世界性分布、物种多样性丰富的大类群,具有独特的传粉模式和多样化的生态类型及繁殖策略,以往对鼠尾草属的花结构和雄蕊杠杆的生态功能、雄蕊杠杆机制对传粉者空间变异的进化响应和表型选择等方面已有较深入的研究,但至今对分布于不同区系代表性物种的传粉者组成、访花行为和繁育系统特征仍知之甚少。对分布于喜马拉雅东段至横断山高海拔地区栗色鼠尾草的传粉生态、交配系统和繁殖特性进行了研究,分析了2014年至2016年的年际间、2014年晴天和阴雨天的传粉者组成和传粉行为变化,探讨了这些变化对繁殖成功的影响。研究结果表明：3年共发现栗色鼠尾草有9种访花昆虫,传粉者组成及其行为变化较为明显。2014年有桔尾熊蜂Bombus friseanus、灰熊蜂B.grahami、圣熊蜂B.religiosus和中华蜜蜂Apis cerana 4种有效传昆虫,2015年仅有桔尾熊蜂是有效传粉者,而2016年的有效传粉昆虫改变为灰熊蜂和圣熊蜂。栗色鼠尾草的盗蜜现象较为普遍,主要盗蜜昆虫为灰熊蜂和桔尾熊蜂。桔尾熊蜂访花行为的年际变化较大,受天气条件的影响明显,同时其有效传粉行为可能显著影响了灰熊蜂的盗蜜行为。栗色鼠尾草的繁育系统为专性异交,主要依靠传粉者进行授粉,缺少传粉者时低程度的主动自花授粉可为其提供繁殖保障,且没有花粉限制和近交衰退。研究揭示了在高海拔地区,多变的天气条件可能显著影响着鼠尾草属植物的传粉者种类组成、访花行为和传粉效率,进而影响植物的繁殖成效和种群稳定。有效传粉频率是保证栗色鼠尾草较高自然结实率的主要因素,在一定程度上,盗蜜强度对繁殖成功具有中性的影响。本研究结果为阐明高山鼠尾草物种的繁殖如何受气候环境变化的影响,以及保证繁殖成功的可能策略奠定基础。     

云南草蔻花蜜分泌格局与访花动物行为及其对果实和种子产量的影响

依靠动物传粉的植物, 其繁殖成功 (胚珠受精与花粉散布 ) 很大程度上取决于访花动物的种类和拜访行为, 而访花动物的种类和行为又受植物提供给传粉者的回报, 主要是花蜜分泌格局的影响。通过对姜科山姜属植物云南草蔻 (Alpiniablepharocalyx) 花蜜分泌量及糖分含量的测定, 拜访动物种类、传粉昆虫拜访频率及停留时间的调查, 主要盗蜜者花松鼠 (Tamiopsswinhoei) 的盗蜜行为观察, 植物的结实率以及结籽量的分析等, 探讨花蜜分泌与传粉昆虫的关系以及盗蜜对果实及种子生产的影响。研究表明 :云南草蔻的两种花型花蜜的分泌量在一天的单花开花过程中呈现相反的格局, 花柱上举型花下午的花蜜分泌量高于上午, 而花柱下垂型花则上午略高于下午 ;两种花型花蜜的糖分浓度都随着开花时间而下降 ;共有 17种访花动物拜访云南草蔻的花, 其中 8种具有传粉作用 ;传粉昆虫的停留时间随拜访频率的不断增加而缩短 ;被盗蜜植株与未被盗蜜植株的结实率差异不显著而结籽量差异显著。     

多叶斑叶兰花蜜特征和分泌规律及其对昆虫访花的影响

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera foliosa)花蜜体积和成分的变异性,及其对传粉昆虫的影响,采用毛细管法、折光仪和高效液相-蒸发光法对一天内不同时间段单花花蜜体积、总糖浓度和可溶性糖成分及含量进行检测,用摄像机对其传粉昆虫访花行为进行观察。结果表明,单花花蜜体积在10:00达到最大[(7.19±2.29)μL, n=10],糖浓度在16:00达到最大[(25.85±1.83)%,n=10]。花蜜中的主要可溶性糖为果糖和蔗糖,果糖在上午10:00含量达到最高(78.310 mg/g);蔗糖在下午16:00含量达到最高(247.600 mg/g)。中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)访花时间为每天9:00-15:00,访花高峰期在10:00-14:00;橘尾熊蜂(Bombus friseanus)访花时间为每天8:00-16:00,访花高峰期在10:00-12:00和16:00-18:00。因此,这两种传粉昆虫访花频率与多叶斑叶兰单花花蜜体积及糖浓度的变化有一定的相关性,它们更倾向于访问较高花蜜体积及糖浓度的花朵。多叶斑叶兰花蜜成分中蔗糖占优势,能有效吸引各种蜂类、蝶类和蚁类访花,且访问频率较高,中华蜜蜂和橘尾熊蜂能携带其花粉块,是主要的有效传粉昆虫。花形态和访花昆虫的体型大小的匹配,决定了是否成为有效传粉昆虫。     

刺五加传粉生物学研究

本文报道刺五加Eleutherococcus seticosus(Rupr．et Maxim．)Maxim的花朵酬物、访花者类别、访花 者在花序上的访花行为、访花频率及传粉效果。主要结果如下:(1)每朵雄花可提供的报偿是58 000～ 81 000粒花粉,5.5～8.0 µl／d×2～4d花蜜。每朵雌花仅可提供4.0～8.0µl／d× 2～3 d花蜜,不能提 供花粉。每朵两性花可提供19 000～54 000粒花粉和7.0～10.0 µl／d× 2～6 d花蜜。(2)花粉提供者 (雄花和两性花)提供报偿的日期是开花后1～3天,花粉接受者(雌花和两性花在柱头外翻变白时)是 开花后5～7或7～9天,这进一步证实了剌五加雄蕊先熟。另外,花粉提供者提供花蜜的时间在一天中 是8:30至15:30,其高峰是9:00～15:00;花粉接受者提供花蜜的时间在一天中是10:30至16:30,其高 峰是11:00～16:00。这种时间差异可能是刺五加影响传粉者流向(从花粉提供者到花粉接受者)的关键 因素。(3)在刺五加花朵上记录到的访花昆虫有50余种,分别隶属于膜翅目、鳞翅目、鞘翅目、双翅目和 半翅目。在不同天气、不同生境、不同性别的植株记录到的访花频率及高峰时间不同:花粉提供者的 访花高峰早于花粉接受者的;雄株上的访花频率高于雌株的;两性株接受花粉时的访花频率高于提供花 粉时的;而天气越晴朗,刺五加地块(patch)越大,则访花频率越高;每日接受光照越早,访花高峰越早。 (4)从传粉效果看,刺五加种子的形成完全依赖于传粉昆虫的活动。其中,蜂类,如熊蜂、花蜂、切叶蜂、胡蜂和蜜蜂等是最有效的传粉者,其它昆虫如粉蝶、食蚜蝇、寄蝇和鳃角金龟等对传粉也有帮助。     

蛛网萼开花物候、花部特征及繁育系统研究

为探讨蛛网萼(Platycrater arguta)传粉生物学特性,该研究以江西上饶广丰铜钹山国家级自然保护区、江西阳际峰国家级自然保护区蛛网萼为材料,采用野外观察和人工授粉等方法,对蛛网萼开花物候、花部形态及繁育系统进行了研究。结果表明:(1)蛛网萼为伞形花序,种群花期一般在6月中下旬至8月中旬,单花花期为2~3 d,花序花期持续10 d。两个保护区由于年均温度与光照的不同,花期进程有显著不同。(2)蛛网萼可孕花与不孕花从绿色变为白色时对访花昆虫有吸引作用,不孕花能够增加昆虫的访花频率。(3)蛛网萼花粉胚珠比(P/O)为2 520~3 100,杂交指数即是3或4。(4)繁育体系属于以异交为主,部分自交亲和,需要传粉者;熊蜂(Bombus sp.)、四条蜂(Apis florea)和油茶地蜂(Andrena cammelia)是蛛网萼的有效传粉昆虫。(5)套袋和人工授粉结果显示,蛛网萼为兼性自交和异交授粉,异株异花授粉能显著提高坐果率及结籽率,这主要与生境中有效传粉昆虫种类、数量少,花粉传递效率低,种群间基因流交流降低以及柱头自花及同株异花传粉等有关,从而表明在蛛网萼现有生境中植株的早期生殖成功受到影响。蛛网萼种群分布范围扩张以有性繁殖为主,无性繁殖作为重要补充及繁殖保障。     

华凤仙花部特征和传粉系统研究

研究了华凤仙（Impatiens chinensis L.）的花部特征和传粉系统,结果表明华凤仙单花期为2.3 d,雄性期是雌性期的6.8倍。花蜜量和花蜜可溶性糖含量分别为0.56 μL和28.2%。开花当天柱头即具有可授性,花粉活力在花朵刚开放时最高（95%）,至花朵凋谢之前仍保持较高的活力（55%）。花粉胚珠比（5 730.3±2 941.1）和套袋实验的结果表明华凤仙属于自交亲和但以异交为主的繁育系统,传粉过程需要传粉者。蜜蜂、熊蜂、蝶类和几种芦蜂是华凤仙的主要访花者,最有效的传粉者为三条熊蜂。考氏无垫蜂作为盗蜜者,可能是除正常访花者之外,对华凤仙的有性繁殖影响最大的生物因素。     

濒危植物柄扁桃的传粉者及其访花行为

对濒危植物柄扁桃(Amygdalus pedunculata)访花昆虫的种类、访花行为、访花频率和日活动规律进行了研究.结果表明:柄扁桃的访花昆虫有5目17科19属21种,其中传粉昆虫为3目11科13属15种,主要的传粉昆虫为黑颚条蜂(Anthophora melanognatha)、密林熊蜂(Bombus patagiatus)、大蜂虻(Bombylius major)、黄腿食蚜蝇(Syrphus ribesii)及红足隧蜂(Halictus rubicundus);主要传粉昆虫的日活动规律差异较大,活动高峰期彼此交错;黑颚条蜂具有体积大、携粉量大、小花停留时间短等特点,为柄扁桃传粉的效率最高,今后应加强其生物学、传粉生态学方面的研究.     

青藏高原高山植物麻花艽的传粉生态学研究

对青藏高原东部麻花艽 (Gentiana straminea)海北居群的传粉生态学进行了 3a连续的观察和实验。试验表明自然去雄、人工自交和杂交处理均结实 ,而人工去雄套袋和自然套袋不结实。麻花艽自交亲合 ,但必须依赖传粉媒介才能完成授粉过程 ,不存在无融合生殖。野外捕捉到 14种访花昆虫 ,它们分别属于 2个纲 ,7个目 ,8个科。观察和分析了各种昆虫的访花行为后 ,认为苏氏熊蜂 (Bombus sushikini)是麻花艽有效而稳定的传粉者。测量表明麻花艽花蜜通道的深度和苏氏熊蜂的舌长基本吻合。苏氏熊蜂的访花频率在 10 :0 0～ 12 :0 0 ,13:0 0～ 15 :0 0和 16 :0 0～ 18:0 0时间段没有差别 ,单花的访花频率为 0 .0 0 5次 / (花· min)。和其它高山植物相比 ,青藏高原高山植物麻花艽的访花频率较高。熊蜂传粉和高频率的访花维持了麻花艽在极端寒旱的青藏高原环境下的有性生殖。此外 ,高频率的访花对于维持该地区高山植物的生殖保障具有重要的现实意义 ,但是否具有普遍性 ,还有待研究更多的高山代表类群。     

毛菍传粉生物学研究

为探讨毛菍(Melastoma sanguineum Sims.)传粉生物学特性,对海南霸王岭国家级自然保护区林缘、林内和林隙3个生境内毛菍的花期、花部形态、访花昆虫等进行观察,同时对其繁育系统相关指标进行了测定。结果表明：毛菍无花蜜分泌;花瓣对访花昆虫有吸引作用;访花昆虫主要有蜂类、食蚜蝇类和丽金龟类;主要传粉昆虫有木蜂、熊蜂,其中木蜂传粉活动最为活跃,为最有效传粉昆虫。毛菍具典型的异型雄蕊,长、短雄蕊在传粉过程中具有明确的功能分化,推测这是毛菍保证传粉成功的策略。毛菍为自交亲和的异交种,需要昆虫传粉;人工自交和异交均具有较高的坐果率;不存在无融合生殖、主动自花授粉和滞后自交的生殖保障现象;其繁育系统是兼性自交。昼夜温差较小和相对湿度较高的林内和林隙生境有利于延长群体花期;光照充足、温度相对较高的林缘生境,花朵发育较快,柱头可授性的时间稍早。花粉、传粉者和环境条件是制约毛菍野外传粉效率的主要因素。     

Nectar secretion dynamic links pollinator behavior to consequences for plant reproductive success in the ornithophilous mistletoe Psittacanthus robustus

The mistletoe Psittacanthus robustus was studied as a model to link flower phenology and nectar secretion strategy to pollinator behaviour and the reproductive consequences for the plant. The bright‐coloured flowers presented diurnal anthesis, opened asynchronously throughout the rainy season and produced copious dilute nectar as the main reward for pollinators. Most nectar was secreted just after flower opening, with little sugar replenishment after experimental removals. During the second day of anthesis in bagged flowers, the flowers quickly reabsorbed the offered nectar. Low values of nectar standing crop recorded in open flowers can be linked with high visitation rates by bird pollinators. Eight hummingbirds and two passerines were observed as potential pollinators. The most frequent flower visitors were the hummingbirds Eupetomena macroura and Colibri serrirostris, which actively defended flowering mistletoes. The spatial separation between anthers, stigma and nectar chamber promotes pollen deposition on flapping wings of hovering hummingbirds that usually probe many flowers per visit. Seed set did not differ between hand‐, self‐ and cross‐pollinated flowers, but these treatments set significantly more seeds than flowers naturally exposed to flower visitors. We suggest that the limitation observed in the reproductive success of this plant is not related to pollinator scarcity, but probably to the extreme frequency of visitation by territorial hummingbirds. We conclude that the costs and benefits of plant reproduction depend on the interaction strength between flowers and pollinators, and the assessment of nectar secretion dynamics, pollinator behaviour and plant breeding system allows clarification of the complexity of such associations.     

Nectar Production of Two Sympatric Species of Columnar Cacti

We examined the potential for exploitation competition by differential attractiveness in two sympatric species of columnar cacti on Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. Stenocereus griseus and Subpiloccreus repandus have temporally overlapping flowering phenologies and share pollinators. We examined nectar volume, energy contents, and sugar ratios for the entire night and at two-hour intervals in both cactus species. Except for a burst in nectar volume and sugar concentration by Subpilocereus repandus during the first two hours of anthesis, nectar secretion patterns, energy contents, and sugar ratios (70% hexose) were similar for the two species. The standing crops of nectar in both species were kept very low by bat pollinators. We suggest that the potential for exploitation competition between Stenocereus griscus and Subpilocereus repandus is currently very low on Curapo.     

BUMBLEBEE POLLINATION RELATIONSHIPS ON THE BEARTOOTH PLATEAU TUNDRA OF SOUTHERN MONTANA

The coadaptive, dynamic relationship between the members of a floral community and their respective bumblebee pollinators was studied on the alpine-tundra of the Beartooth Plateau in southern Montana. A total of ten species of Bombus was observed foraging for pollen and/or nectar on Castilleja pulchella, Delphinium bicolor, Lupinus monticola, Mertensia ciliata, Oxytropis campestris, Penstemon procerus, and Trifolium dasyphyllum. The number of Bombus species per plant species ranged from 1 to 9. Based on relative percentage of pollen types in corbicular loads, monolectic foragers comprised 53.5% and polylectic foragers 46.5% of the bumblebees. Examinations of relative length of nectariferous corolla-tubes, tongue-length of pollinators, foraging frequency of pollinators, phenology of floral anthesis, and stature of plants did not indicate specific resource partitioning. Non-tundra-nesting bumblebees from lower elevations preferred adventive or typically non-tundra plants. Examination of perianth colors in visible light by reflectance spectrophotometry and in long-wave (360 nm) ultraviolet light by photography disclosed well-defined visible light reflectance spectra in all species but ultraviolet reflectance patterns only in D. bicolor. Insect collections and exclosure studies indicated all plant species except D. bicolor and P. procerus are highly reliant on bumblebee pollinators.     

Nectar ecology of Datura ferox (Solanaceae): an invasive weed with nocturnal flowers in agro-ecosystems from central Argentina

Plant–pollinator interactions provide highly important ecological functions, and are influenced by floral nectar characteristics. The night blooming Datura ferox is an excellent model to test general hypotheses on the relationship between nectar traits (e.g., nectar secretion patterns, nectar chemical composition), pollinators and reproductive success for invasive, weedy species in highly modified ecosystems as crop fields. We hypothesized an adjustment between nectar composition and secretion dynamics through flower anthesis and the activity and requirements of nocturnal pollinators. Nectar chemical analyses showed low quantities of amino acids and lipids, phenolics, and alkaloids were not detected. D. ferox showed sucrose-dominant nectar with comparable amount of hexoses. Sugar proportions did not vary between populations or during flowering season. Most nectar is secreted before flower opening. Nectar resorption was detected at the end of anthesis. Experimentally drained flowers of both populations increased nectar production up to 50 % in the total amount of sugar per flower compared to control flowers. Nectar standing crop was relatively constant during the flowering season, but differences were detected between populations. Nectar traits of D. ferox would be favoring cross-pollination and maintaining seed production of this weed, since recently open flowers display a higher amount of nectar and they can renew nectar after a pollinator visit or reabsorb it at the end of anthesis. This nectar source may be important for native pollinators considering that human-induced forest fragmentation is related with the impoverishment of native flora from agro-ecosystems.     

STUDIES ON THE POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF TIPULARIA DISCOLOR (ORCHIDACEAE)

Tipularia discolor, a woodland orchid, flowers in mid-summer when reproductive activity is minimal within the herb synusia. Tipularia is insect-pollinated, and artificial crosses showed that seeds are produced after self-pollination, intra-inflorescence pollination, and outcrossing. The single nocturnal pollinator, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Noctuidae), located Tipularia populations within a day or two of anthesis. Pollinators were shown to be capable of utilizing portions of the inflorescences that contained the most nectar. After total nectar resources declined, pollinators were no longer active on the inflorescences, even though flowers and nectar were still available. The mode of pollinator activity seems to be closely related to floral morphology, although the moths are able, early in the flowering phenophase, to successfully obtain nectar without effecting any change in the reproductive status of flowers.     

3种雌雄异熟樟科植物开花动态的比较研究

为了解樟科植物雌雄异熟的繁育系统特点,对3种樟科植物阴香(Cinnamomum burmannii)、紫楠(Phoebe sheareri)和浙江楠(Phoebe chekiangensis)雌雄异熟花的开花动态进行了比较研究。结果表明,3种植物雌性功能期的开始时间、雌性功能期和雄性功能期的时间分配有差异。3种植物的主要传粉者均为中华蜜蜂,在雌性功能期和雄性功能期均有访花;在雌性功能期第四轮退化雄蕊蜜腺和雄性功能期第三轮花丝基部的蜜腺分泌花蜜,不同开花阶段的花蜜蜜量和含糖量没有显著差异;柱头可授性和花粉活力在雌性和雄性功能期均较高;雌性功能期和雄性功能期均有自然花粉落置;座果率均是异交补粉自然套袋,表明都存在一定的传粉限制。因此,樟科植物雌、雄性阶段时间分配的不同,可能与退化雄蕊蜜腺和第三轮雄蕊附属蜜腺的分泌节律有关。     

多叶斑叶兰繁育系统与传粉生物学研究

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera folisa)的繁育系统与传粉生物学特征,对其开花物候、花粉活力与柱头可授性、人工授粉、花的挥发性成分以及昆虫传粉行为进行了研究。结果表明,多叶斑叶兰的唇瓣黄色,萼片白色或白色带红褐色;单花花期为(9.4±0.8)d;花粉在开花后第1天具备活力,柱头在开花后第2天具备可授性,花粉活力和柱头可授性都在开花后第5天达到峰值。去雄套袋和不去雄套袋都不能结实,人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的结实率分别为93.3%、95.0%和96.7%,自然结实率为43.3%。花朵的主要挥发性成分为1-辛烯-3-醇、3-辛醇和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。多叶斑叶兰传粉者为中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)。多叶斑叶兰具有自交亲和能力,但在自然界不具有主动自交现象,必须依赖中华蜜蜂传粉,花色及花香气味为吸引传粉者的主要因素。     

FLORAL BIOLOGY AND BREEDING SYSTEM OF BAUHINIA BENTHAMIANA TAUB. (LEGUMINOSAE), A BAT-POLLINATED TREE IN VENEZUELAN “LLANOS”

The breeding system and floral characteristics of Bauhinia ungulata L. were investigated during two consecutive flowering cycles (Dec-Feb). This tree grows in savannas in small sized patches scattered in the grassland and in larger tree clusters called “mata.” Anthesis occurs between 17:00 and 19:30. Anther dehiscence and nectar secretion begin one hour after anthesis. Nectar is produced for 10 to 12 hr with an average sugar concentration of 13.5%. Flowers in small trees secrete nectar at a higher rate than do flowers in bigger trees. Two phyllostomatid bat species, Glossophaga soricina and Phyllostomus discolor, visit the flowers of B. ungulata between 20:00 and 4:00. Visits of variable duration occur every 1 to 2 hr. In general, the times of greatest nectar production, of highest solute concentration of the nectar and of most frequent visits by the main pollinators coincide. The flowers are significantly dimorphic in pistil length, and ovules are abortive in the short-pistil flowers. Artificial self- and cross-pollinations in long-and short-pistil flowers show that B. ungulata is genetically self-incompatible and functionally andromonoecious.     

秦岭岩白菜的传粉生物学特性与繁育系统

对珍稀濒危植物秦岭岩白菜(Bergenia scopulosa T.P.Wang)的开花特性、传粉适应及繁育系统进行了分析研究。结果表明:(1)秦岭岩白菜为蝎尾状聚伞花序,具(29±10)朵单花,单花期约15d,遇低温雨雪天气花冠闭合,可延长3~5d,花序花期约30d,种群花期近4个月。(2)花粉活力在花药开裂后的12h内最高(约90%),维持单花平均花粉活力在30%以上约6d;柱头在第1~4天内保持很强的可授性,维持可授性的时间约为9d。(3)秦岭岩白菜主要有效传粉昆虫为中华蜜蜂,平均访花频率为6.5朵/min,单花停留时间为(11.0±4.8)s。(4)秦岭岩白菜的花粉胚珠比(P/O)为589.8,杂交指数(OCI)为3;人工授粉实验显示,秦岭岩白菜不存在无融合生殖,自交亲和,主动自交罕见,生殖成功主要依赖传粉者。研究认为,秦岭岩白菜是兼性异交的繁育系统,胚珠受精过程中可能存在自交衰退。     

Pollination by hummingbirds and bees in eight syntopic species and a putative hybrid of Ericaceae in Southeastern Brazil

We report on flowering phenology, floral morphology, pollinators, and nectar for eight species and a putative natural hybrid belonging to Agarista, Gaultheria and Gaylussacia that occur syntopically in a montane area. The campanulate to tubular flowers of eight out of nine Ericaceae taxa are primarily pollinated by either hummingbirds or bees. Flowering overlaps in all species but slight differences of floral shape, colour, and nectar characterize pollination by each pollinator group. Differences in floral traits are not large enough to exclude secondary pollinators. Thus, either the main pollinators of a species belonging to its syndrome, or secondary pollinators of a species belonging to different syndromes, may allow for inter-specific crosses.