Phenology, floral and reproductive biology of Dichorisandra rhizantha Aona (Commelinaceae), an endemic endangered species in an Atlantic Forest fragment.

Commelinaceae is an important component of the Atlantic Forest and its analysis can provide information on the conservation of that species. This study had the objective of analyzing the phenology and floral and reproductive biology of Dichorisandra rhizantha, growing in an Atlantic Forest fragment, to obtain data related to the form of reproduction and pollination mechanism of this species. We monitored the phenophases and reproductive biology of the D. rhizantha in the area studied using different methodologies and microscopy techniques (LM, SEM and FM). The flowering period occurs during the dry season. The species is andromonoecious and has daytime anthesis (4:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). It has purple zygomorphic flowers and rimose but functionally poricidal anthers. The pollen viability was 97.6% and the two floral morphs investigated contained a large quantity of pollen grains. The time of greatest stigma receptivity (anthesis) coincided with the pollen viability. Cross-pollination was the only efficient reproductive system of the species, with observation of gametophytic self-incompatibility and pollen tubes growth only as far as the middle or lower third of the pistil. We observed bee species of the genera Xylocopa and Euglossa visiting the flowers and acting as effective pollinators. The immature fruits were formed after about 3.25 ± 1 days, and the presence was noted of ants of the genus Cephalotes acting as dispersers of the seeds, with aril serving as the reward. Although the natural reproductive system is efficient, D. rhizantha is endangered, mainly due to fragmentation of habitat caused by deforestation and urban encroachment.

Determination and evaluation of the metals and metalloids in the Chapeu-de-couro (Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli).

The Chapeu-de-couro (Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli) is a native plant from Brazil, which has been mainly used in medicinal application being a potent antirheumatic and diuretic, in the production of soft drinks, and also in the ornamentation of aquariums. In this paper, the metals and metalloids for the leaves of chapeu-de-couro collected in the Paraguacu River from the city Cachoeira, Bahia State, Brazil, was determined and evaluated using multivariate analysis. The samples were digested using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material of apple leaves, furnished by National Institute of Standard and Technology. The study involved 15 samples of the Paraguacu River. The results expressed as milligrams of element per kilogram of sample demonstrated that the concentration ranges varied: 1.39-5.27 for chromium, 44.85-165.39 for manganese, 0.55-0.84 for arsenic, 0.01-3.94 for antimony, and 0.18-0.31 for lead. The principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis evidenced that the concentrations of the metals and metalloids varied according with the variations in the water of the Paraguacu.