XVI International Botanical Congess

The genus Symphonia (Clusiaceae) consists of 19 currently accepted species, 18 endemic to Madagascar and one (S. globulifera) widespread in tropical Africa and the Americas. Hummingbird and butterfly pollination has been reported for the neotropical species, although the mechanism was unknown. Observations of S. clusioides and S. lepidocarpa in central Madagascar has shown pollination by sunbirds (Nectarinia notata and Foudia madagascariensis) for the former and 12 various insect species for the latter. Flower size may be factor in pollinator choice, with birds preferring the larger-flowered species. Flowers possess an unusual morphology, which may have evolved to accommodate many different types of pollinators. By direct observation, a possible mechanism for pollination is proposed.