Fragrant Secrets

Goniothalamus wynaadensis (Bedd.) Bedd. is a near-threatened IUCN red-listed species found in the Western Ghats. This species possesses significant medicinal properties and its fragrance which resembles that of a pineapple is designed to attract and trap pollinators. The floral scent is made up of semiochemicals. The book describes the role of floral scent as a reward mimicking insect pheromones. The species displayed non-deep epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy; this phenomenon is reported for the first time in the Annonaceae family. The book provides valuable information on dormancy and seed germination patterns as well as ecological adaptations to changing climatic conditions. Information on reproductive methodologies strategies and conservation measures for primitive plants presenting the findings in tabulated graphical and photographic formats is provided in this book. How pollen viability and stigma receptivity tests can be used to confirm the protogyny is explained. Also the book provides insights into the pollen biology studies of protogynous annonaceae.The book attempts to provide insights on integrating chemistry with pollination ecology (chemical ecology).