Astrocaryum vulgare: Difference between revisions

It is a characteristic palm of ''terra firme'' (rainforest which is never inundated under water), low vegetation cover, and open fields. ''Astrocaryum vulgare'' is considered a [[pioneer plant]] with aggressive growth, has the ability to grow new shoots after a fire, and mainly inhabits [[secondary forest]]s and pastures.<ref name="Morais"/> It is never found in undisturbed old-growth rainforest. In the Guianas it is typically found on rather dry, sandy soil. It is very common in white-sand savanna. The seeds are probably mostly dispersed by [[capuchin monkey]]s and [[Hoarding (animal behavior)|scatter-hoarding]] rodents ([[agouti]]s and [[Acouchi|achouchis]]).<ref name=Roosmalen1985/> In Guyana, researchers found its inflorescences produce heat and odor during nocturnal anthesis, which draws hordes of different beetles to feed, mate, and oviposition. Although beetles pollinate, wind pollination was also employed, and experiments showed the palm also self-fertilized. <ref name=Consiglio2001>{{cite article|last=Consiglio|first=T.K. |author-link=Consiglio |date=2001 |title=Pollination and breeding system of a neotropical palm Astrocaryum vulgare in Guyana: a test of the predictability of syndromes |jounraljournal=J. Trop. Ecol.|number=17 |pages=577–592}}</ref>