Floral biology and pollination mechanism of Salacca vermicularis becc. (Arecaceae: calameae)

Ng, W.S. and Wong, S. Y. (2025) Floral biology and pollination mechanism of Salacca vermicularis becc. (Arecaceae: calameae). Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS) (Malaysia), 37 (1). pp. 36-48. ISSN 0128-1283

Salacca (Arecaceae), a genus of palms with 23 accepted species, has its centre of diversity in Borneo. Salacca vermicularis Becc. which is endemic to Borneo, has, despite its edible fruits, has never been studied concerning its floral biology and pollination mechanisms. In this study, the phenology, floral rewards, floral visitors, and possible seed dispersal agents of S. vermicularis were investigated, and experiments performed on the breeding mechanisms of S. vermicularis. Anthesis in staminate flowers begins around noon and persists until early morning on the second day whilst anthesis in pistillate flowers begins around evening and may take up to 40 hours to fully bloom. Floral scent was present throughout the anthesis for staminate and pistillate plants. Apomixis is not present in this species. Several insect visitors were observed, namely Heterotrigona (Apidae) sp. as well as members of Curculionidae, Sciaridae, Formicidae, and Acaridae. Three species of visitors are likely the dispersal agents of S. vermicularis, namely Hystrix sp. (Hystricidae: Hystricinae), Tragulus sp. (Tragulidae) and Lariscus insignis (Sciuridae: Callosciurinae). A mongoose (Herspetidae) was observed foraging nearby but is unlikely as a dispersal agent.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://jtfs.frim.gov.my/jtfs/article/view/3076/19...

Abstract

Salacca (Arecaceae), a genus of palms with 23 accepted species, has its centre of diversity in Borneo. Salacca vermicularis Becc. which is endemic to Borneo, has, despite its edible fruits, has never been studied concerning its floral biology and pollination mechanisms. In this study, the phenology, floral rewards, floral visitors, and possible seed dispersal agents of S. vermicularis were investigated, and experiments performed on the breeding mechanisms of S. vermicularis. Anthesis in staminate flowers begins around noon and persists until early morning on the second day whilst anthesis in pistillate flowers begins around evening and may take up to 40 hours to fully bloom. Floral scent was present throughout the anthesis for staminate and pistillate plants. Apomixis is not present in this species. Several insect visitors were observed, namely Heterotrigona (Apidae) sp. as well as members of Curculionidae, Sciaridae, Formicidae, and Acaridae. Three species of visitors are likely the dispersal agents of S. vermicularis, namely Hystrix sp. (Hystricidae: Hystricinae), Tragulus sp. (Tragulidae) and Lariscus insignis (Sciuridae: Callosciurinae). A mongoose (Herspetidae) was observed foraging nearby but is unlikely as a dispersal agent.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Salacca
AGROVOC Term:	palmetum
AGROVOC Term:	fruits
AGROVOC Term:	phenology
AGROVOC Term:	pollination
AGROVOC Term:	seed dispersal
AGROVOC Term:	honey bees
AGROVOC Term:	insects
AGROVOC Term:	biodiversity conservation
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	phenology, floral rewards, floral attractants, floral visitors, breeding mechanism, fruit and seed dispersal
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2026 00:38
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2026 00:38
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/4059

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