| Abstract: | The Calycanthaceae is an old family,consisting of 9 species and 2 varieties belonging to 3 genera.All members of Calycanthaceae are insect pollinated.Only the Coleoptera beetles of Nitidulidae and Rhizophagidae of ancient origin transfer the pollen of Calycanthus.In Sinocalycanthus the pollen transfer is accomplished by Dermeptera earwigs of Forficulidae,Deptera flower flies of Syrphidae,and Hymenoptera ceratinid bees of Ceratinidae and honeybees of Apidae.In Chimonanthus,however,the pollinating agent is only the flower flies and honeybees of modern origin.Pollinators of various historical origins may reflect the phylogeny of plants.From this point of view it may be assumed that Calycanthus might be the more primitive element of the family,Sinocalycanthus the more advanced,and Chimonanthus the most advanced. |
