XVI International Botanical Congess

The pollination ecology of 15 species from a southern temperate forest at Lago Tromen, Neuquén province, was studied. The flower visitors were captured and identified. Censuses to determine the importance of each visitor were done. Controlled pollinations were performed in four species to determine the breeding system. Two species (Embothrium coccineum and Fuchsia magellanica) have ornithophilous flowers and were visited by a hummingbird and also bees and/or flies. The other species were visited by bees, flies, butterflies and beetles. The main reward offered by the flowers was nectar, followed by pollen. Only one species produced oils and was visited exclusively by an Anthophorid bee. The importance of each group of insects in pollination is discussed. E. coccineum was remarkable as flowers were visited by hummingbirds, birds, bees and flies.