Reproductive phenology of the Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze, in region of Curitiba - PR

Abstract

The objective of this work was to describe morphologically and chronologically aspects of the reproductive biology of the Araucaria angustifolia, in Curitiba - PR. Collections and measurements of ginostrobili and androstrobili, and mature pine cones were made between 2003 and 2005 to describe the reproductive phenology of A. angustifolia. The reproductive structures were photographed in situ and in the laboratory, at different periods of development. In the environmental conditions of Curitiba, the pollination of the A. angustifolia occurs in September and October. The androstrobilus formation begins in November, and the pollen dispersion occurs in September and October in a cycle of 10 to 11 months. The ginostrobilus formation occurs in November; its polinization is in September and October of the following year and the pine nuts start mature 20 months later, from April until September, in a cycle of 29 to 34 months.

Key-words:
parana-pine; strobili; pollination.