ZJHRA, MICHELLE L. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85720. - Preliminary findings of evolutionary and ecological aspects of cauliflory.
Coleeae, a tribe of Bignoniaceae endemic to Madagascar is
characterized by cauliflory with approximately half its species
exhibiting this trait. Cauliflory arises in parallel with a treelet
habit and may persist with further shifts in habit. The role of
scent, as well as different floral and fruit characters will be
discussed in the context of the evolution of cauliflory as will the
homology of different forms of cauliflory. In the Coleeae cauliflory
appears to be driven by lemur dispersal and may be key to the
remarkable diversity of this group.
Key words: Bignoniaceae, cauliflory, floral odor, Madagascar, pollination