R. dichotoma (Lam.). DC. is a shrub native of Central Brazil, occurring in large population in wet, marsh like environment. The present study was carried out at the municipality of Tanabi (São Paulo State). The flowering season of this species is long lasting ca. 6-8 months, but April is the month when most individuals are in flower. Similar to other Melastomataceae species possessing tubular and poricidal anthers, R. dichotoma is pollinated by buzz bees. The species, as indicated in this study, is self-compatible, 59% of success resulted from artificial self-pollination (n=90). Agamospermy did not occur (n=85). Cross pollination (xenogamy) proved to be predominant: 66% fruits was obtained from cross-pollinated flowers (n=92). Although the present species has poricidal anthers, surprisingly spontaneous sef-pollination was observed 33% of success (n=92).
Melastomataceae; Rhynchanthera; spontaneous self-pollination