Pollination biology of rare and endangered species Malania oleifera Chun et Lee

The rare and endangered species Malania oleifera Chun et Lee was investigated from 2003 to 2005 in terms of morphological characteristics,flowering process,breeding system,species of visiting insects and their foraging behavior,pollination efficiency.The results show that: 1) M.oleifera usually flowers in early April,the florescence is about 30 days,the duration of florets is about eight days with a very dense fragrance during its florescence;2) The species is self-compatible,but it cannot self-pollinate spontaneously under natural conditions.The out-crossing is its main pollination pattern and pollinators are required.There is no apomixes in M.oleifera and its breeding system is mixed with self-pollination and out-crossing;3) Forty-three species of visiting insects,which belong to eight orders,36 families,are recorded,and 19 species pollinators,which belong to seven orders,18 families,are determined.The species of insect visitors differ in visiting rate with the highest of bees;4) Species of pollination insects recorded in the three years are different,and the effect of rainy days during the florescence on the activities of visiting insects and pollination efficiency might be one of the crucial reasons of its endangerment.