Pollination of Richea dracophylla (Ericaceae) and the role of the nocturnal ant Notoncus hickmani (Formicinae)
Stewart C. Nicol,
Tanya A. McLachlan‐Troup,
Peter B. McQuillan
Abstract:Our observation of large numbers of ants Notoncus hickmani (Formicinae) on the flowers of a Tasmanian endemic shrub Richea dracophyllum (Ericacea) during the night in winter prompted us to carry out a more extensive study of pollination of R. dracophyllum at two sites. Terminal panicles bear inflorescences of 300+ flowers whose petals are fused into calyptrae covering the reproductive organs, and the calyptrae must be removed before pollination can occur. To exclude birds, we placed mesh bags over some inflore… Show more
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