REPORT ON WIND DISPERSAL IN A LOWLAND MOIST FOREST IN CENTRAL FRENCH-GUIANA

An analysis of the flowering plant flora of a lowland moist forest in central French Guiana reveals 298 species with adaptations for wind di spersal. This represents 16.2% of the flowering plant flora and 9.8% o f the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). The most diverse wind-disper sed families are the Orchidaceae in the Liliopsida (monocotyledons) wi th 135 species and the Bignoniaceae in the Magnoliopsida with 37 speci es. The wind-dispersed species of central French Guiana have evolved e ither small, dust-like seeds, fruits or seeds with various kinds of wi ngs, fruits or seeds with tufts of hairs, or expanded wing- or parachu te-like persistent calyces. Most wind-dispersed species, among the lil iopsids, are epiphytes and, among the magnoliopsids, trees or lianas. In central French Guiana, collections of these species with mature dia spores have been gathered most often in October and March, the months with peak wind velocities. In contrast, collections from June and July , when wind velocities are at a minimum, are rare.