i Parkia biglobosa - School of Forest Resources & Environmental ...

Inflorescence and Flowers
The distinctive large bright red globes or inflorescence of P. biglobosa are seen
blooming from December through February. The inflorescence or capitulum is
composed of up to 2500 individual flowers arranged around a spherical bud. The
capitulum measures 45 – 70 mm long and 35 – 60 mm in diameter. The mature
capitulum is divided into two distinct parts, a large apical ball and a constricted basal
portion attached to a strong flexible peduncle (Figure 9). The apical ball is composed of
elongated hermaphroditic, fertile flowers. As the capitulum is pendant, the basal portion
is uppermost and composed of modified male and neuter flowers. Several of these basal
flowers secrete nectar while the remaining flowers are staminodial, that is male flowers
with stamens bearing pollen. The nectar secreting flowers form a cylinder at the basal
portion of the capitulum. The fertile flowers are approximately 15 mm long, with anthers
measuring 1.0 – 1.5 mm long and the staminodial flowers measure approximately 6-7
mm. (Hopkins, 1983)
Figure 9 - Shape and structure of capitulum of P. biglobosa
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