Abstract

ANGEL-COCA, CATALINA et al. Floral and reproductive biology of the "gulupa" Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis. Caldasia [online]. 2011, vol.33, n.2, pp.433-451. ISSN 0366-5232.

The floral and reproductive biology of Passiflora edulis f. edulis was studied in crops located at the Cordillera Oriental in the Colombian Andes (Buenavista, Boyacá). The floral anthesis occurred between 6 and 8 hrs, and the average floral longevity was of 25 hrs. Four phenological flower phases were recognized: (1) Female with herkogamy, (2) Homogamy with herkogamy, (3) Homogamy with not herkogamy, and (4) Senescence. Although the stigmas were receptive during all floral phases, there was a higher fruit production from pollination carried out at the second and third phases. Pollen donation occurs at phase 2 with 96% of viability. The production of nectar showed an increasing tendency through the floral life. Pollination experiments showed that although P. edulis f. edulis is highly auto-compatible, it requires of pollinators to increase fruit harvesting, as indicated by the low percentage (33%) of fruits obtained without pollinators. Our results suggest that gulupa has a mixed reproductive strategy promoting endogamy in some floral phases while promoting crossing in others. The conservation of gulupa's pollinators in Buenavista is crucial to keep fruit production as a sustainable activity in the region.

Keywords : Gulupa; Passiflora edulis f. edulis; Floral Biology; Reproductive Biology; Pollination service; Colombia.

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