FLORAL BIOLOGY OF ZANTEDESCHIA-AETHIOPICA (L) SPRENG (ARACEAE)

Floral morphology, stages in floral development and insect visitation in Z. aethiopica are reported. Floral development can be divided into five phases: pre-female, female, male, fruit development and fruit rip ening. Plants are self-incompatible and separation of sexes is achieve d by marked protogyny. Z. aethiopica is the only member of the genus i n which the basal part of the spathe turns green during fruit maturati on while the apical part withers away. This species is further unique in that the berries turn orange, soft and mucilaginous on ripening. Bo th Z. aethiopica and Z. odorata have staminodes present amongst the ov aries and a faint scent is evident. Several insects, especially beetle s, were seen visiting the inflorescence. Observations on Z. aethiopica are compared with other members of the genus, notably Z. albomaculata subsp. albomaculata.