Reproductive biology of Jacquinia armillaris (Primulaceae): an endemic species of the Brazilian restinga

Abstract Jacquinia armillaris occurs in the coastal zone of Northeast and Southeast Brazil in greatly reworked estuarine landscapes. For a better understanding of the ecology of J. armillaris in its natural habitat, this study assessed the reproductive biology of this species in the restinga of Parque Estadual Paulo César Vinha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. According to the data on flowering, floral morphology, stigmatic receptivity, reproductive system, pollen viability, and behavior of floral visitors, Jacquinia armillaris showed characteristics of cantarophily syndrome and is visited by two Coleopteras: Carpophilus sp. (Nitidulidae) and Horistonotus sp. (Elateridae). The data suggest that the species is self-compatible. However, J. armillaris depends on pollination promoted by floral visitors. Absence of agamospermy and clonal growth, plus low viable production of pollen, cantharophily and common restinga rigor are discussed as responsible factors for low fruit set, consequently producing stochastic variation in seed recruitment.