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Etlingera is a genus of the family Zingiberaceae that is native to tropical Asia. Many species are economically important as a source of food, spices, medicines, and ornamental plants. This study aims to elucidate the floral morphology of E. elatior and understand the behavior of the set of stamen and style during floral anthesis, seeking to identify the mechanisms that promote xenogamy in the species. Flower morphology, time of anthesis and movement of the stamen and style during this period, pollen viability, nectar volume, floral visitors, and the reproductive system were evaluated. The flowers of E. elatior exhibited synchronous movement of the style and stamen, however, this movement was not considered as flexistyly, since the species does not present dichogamy. The synchronous movement of the stamen and pistil, by itself, was not enough to promote selfpollination. Fruiting depends on pollinators. The stigma fluid is an important means whereby pollen adheres to the mouthpart of the pollinator. Hummingbirds and bees were considered the most effective pollinators of E. elatior in the area studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower stems of the Heliconiaceae family are gaining more and more space in the Brazilian market of ornamental plants and further knowledge about quality, productivity, and postharvest management is necessary. The objective of the present study was to evaluate heliconiaceae cultivated in full sun in the central-west region of Brazil in terms of agronomic traits and to determine the postharvest durability of floral stems submitted to cold storage. Accessions of Heliconia bihai cultivar Caribea, H. bihai cultivar Iris Red, and H. rauliniana were evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics, the total number of flower stems produced, and number of marketable stems were obtained. Postharvest longevity was tested in a cold chamber at 16 °C and 19 °C and at ambient temperature of 26 °C. Morphological characteristics such as the length, diameter and fresh mass of flower stems, inflorescence length, and postharvest durability of the inflorescences were the most affected. The most important variables were the quality of flower stems, productivity of marketable stems, and postharvest durability. The studied heliconias presented agronomic characters within the commercialization standards, highlighting H. bihai (Caribea) which presented the highest productivity. The best storage temperature for all accessions evaluated was 16 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginger (Zingiber spectabile) is cultivated worldwide as a floriculture and landscaping species. Studies on the biology and floral morphology of this species are important for its improvement; however, they are scarce. We investigated the reproductive biology and floral morphology of gingers grown in a germplasm bank. Floral development was monitored during the pre-anthesis and anthesis periods. Floral morphometry, pollen viability, stigmatic receptivity, volume and concentration of nectar sugar, and performance of possible pollinators were evaluated. Ginger flowers had a 24-h durability. Ginger torch is an allogamous species that exhibits floral hercogamy like other Zingiberaceae. Ginger flowers had a 12-h anthesis. During anthesis, floral structures related to reproduction such as the style, stigma, and anther crest continued to develop, increasing floral herkogamy. Pollen viability was above 70% and the stigma remained receptive throughout the anthesis period. Hummingbirds were the only pollinators recorded in the study area that were able to move the anther crest. Fruiting was determined in a natural pollination system. The occurrence of nocturnal anthesis characterized by an increase in the development of reproductive structures and nectar production suggests that the species is adapted to nocturnal visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]