The family Lecythidaceae is most diverse in lowland, moist forests below 1000 m altitude. Only a few species are found in savannas, periodically inundated habitats, and forests above 1000 m. Brasil, where 54% of the New World species occurs, has more species of Lecythidaceae than any other country, it is especially diverse in species with zygomorphic flowers. Floral evolution in Lecythidaceae has taken place mostly in the androecium where actinomorphic and zygomorphic types have developed. The principal pollinators are bees with the only documented exception being the bat pollinated Lecythis poiteaui. Euglossine bees appear to be particularly important in the evolution of zygomorphic flowered Lecythidaceae. The flowers of Lecythidaceae, depending on the species, offer three kinds of rewards to pollinators - undifferentiated pollen, differentiated pollen, and nectar. There is still much to be learned about reproductive biology in Lecythidaceae. Studies of pollen chemistry, nectar quantity and quality, and self incompatibility systems are especially needed.
Lecythidaceae; floral biology