XVI International Botanical Congess

Population density, sex ratios, floral and reproductive biology of a terrestrial bromeliad, Hechtia schottii, were studied in the Yucatan Peninsula for 1 1/2 years. Hechtia schottii is a rosette-forming, herbaceous, dioecious, polycarpic species, and endemic to the area. Population density varies depending on the habitat, and it is lowest in low caducifolius dry forests as compared with open limestone outcrops, sex ratios are 2:1 male/female. Controlled crosses performed in the field demonstrated that the species was functionally dioecious. Potential pollinators are Apis melifera, Trigona fulviventris, Partamona bilineata y Nanotrigona perilampoides. Implications on small population size and conservation of the species are discussed based on reproductive and floral data.