Publication Date:
1985-08-01
Description:
Flowering and pollination of Arceuthobiumpusillum Peck growing on Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P. were studied in 1978–1980 in Carlton County, MN. Staminate flowers opened in April and abscission was complete by mid-June. The average number of pistillate flowers per aerial shoot ranged from 4.8 to 5.1. From the flowering period to seed dispersal (September of the same year), 36–59% of pistillate aerial shoots were lost. Based on March flower counts, 0.3–2.4 fruits matured per aerial shoot, i.e., 5–35% of pistillate flowers developed into mature fruits. Although insect exclusion studies demonstrated that wind pollination did occur, few grains ofArceuthobium pollen were collected with vaseline slides or a Rotorod sampler. Fifty-nine species of insects trapped on sticky-board traps carried pollen of Arceuthobium. Entomophily is considered the most important pollination mechanism for this dwarf mistletoe.
Print ISSN:
0045-5067
Electronic ISSN:
1208-6037
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Permalink