Subodh Adhikari

Pollination Ecology & Flowering Phenology of Pedicularis Dendrothauma: Seasonal Flower Development Pattern of Pedicularis Dendrothauma & Its Interactions with Pollinators Subodh Adhikari

This book has been prepared based on the research done on a new species: Pedicularis dendrothauma, an endemic to Nepal. While the study on floral phenology and pollination ecology is relatively new field of research, this work is first of its kind in Nepal. Study on floral phenology and pollination ecology of P. dendrothauma was carried out in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Plant height, longest leaf, number of leaves, flowers, and flowering stalks were recorded on 180 epiphytic flowering individuals. Ten plants (5 at ground level and 5 at tree canopies) were used for more intensive study on floral phenology. Six plants (3 at each level) were selected for the pollination studies. A Single Rope Climbing Technique was used to study the canopy plants. A total of 70 hours was spent watching the flower visitors. Flowers were matured within 15 days. No pollinators were recorded during the period of observation possibly because of rainy weather. Few flower visitors were collected from the vicinity and identified. Mornings and sunny weather were found to be the best for visitors? activities, while dawn, dusk, and the foggy -rainy weather showed less activity.