HUMMINGBIRD POLLINATION IN 2 SPECIES OF VELLOZIA (LILIIFLORAE, VELLOZIACEAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Pollination by hummingbirds was observed in two species of Vellozia (Velloziaceae) in southeastern Brazil. Both species have purplish‐pink to dark purple tepals, tube‐like arrangement of stamens, large and protected nectar chamber, and no odour. Tepals are reflexed in V. leptopetala and narrow in V. declinans, further enhancing the tube‐like effect given by the long yellow anthers. Nectar is very dilute (ca. 10%). Three species of hummingbirds were observed pollinating these Vellozia species: Colibri serrirostris, Augastes scutatus, and Chlorostilbon aureoventris. The first species established feeding territories in the vicinity of V. leptopetala flowers. A bee‐pollinated Vellozia flower‐type may give rise to a hummingbird‐flower by relatively simple adjustments, consisting mainly of the reflexion of tepals, increase in stamen length, enhancement of reddish pigments, enlargement of nectar chamber and dilution of nectar. Vellozia declinans may be likened to one of the hypothetical stages of this trend towards ornithophily, whereas V. leptopetala is possibly one of the extremes within the genus. 1990 Deutsche Botanische Gesellschaft/German Botanical Society