title: Habitat dependent pollination success in a Cape orchid.
abstract: We examined the pollination success of Disa uniflora (Orchidaceae) in two habitats. Plants occurring in a rocky gorge were far more successful than plants occurring in an adjacent open valley. More than 55% of flowers in the gorge were pollinated and set fruit compared with less than 25% of flowers in the valley. These differences are explained by the preference of Meneris tulbaghia (Satyridae), the exclusive pollinator of the orchid, for rocky, sheltered habitats. Fruit set of hand-pollinated flowers did not differ significantly between the two habitats, indicating that resources did not account for the variation in fruiting success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Bond
keywords: Fruit set; Habitat selection; Orchidaceae; Pollination; Satyridae