Brazil nut
Bee in a Brazil nut flower (Bertholletia excelsa).
Bee in a Brazil nut flower (Bertholletia excelsa).
The bee has landed on the androecial hood of a flower of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), attracted there by the yellow color (nectar guide) at the entrance into the flower. Only bees strong enough to force their way into the flower between the open end of the hood and the tightly adpressed petals are efficient pollinators. The bees are seeking nectar as a reward for visiting the flower. Photo not vouchered.
Inflorescencia of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Inflorescencia of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Part of the inflorescence of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) based on Mori et al. 17503 from Amapá, Brazil. Note the calyx has two lobes, the style is geniculate, and the petals are tightly adpressed against the androecium. Each of the lobes of the two-lobed calyx is formed from the post genital fusion of three sepals. In early bud, the the calyx encloses all but an apical slit. See Tsou and Mori. 2007. Amer. J. Bot. 94(5).
Fruit and seeds of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Fruit and seeds of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Fruit and seeds of Bertholletia excelsa based on unvouchered collection from the Manu National Park, Peru. Used with permission from T. Paine and P. Alvarez. See http://manuplants.org/ for additional images of fruits and seeds of this and other plants. Note that the thick woody fruit wall (pericarp) has been gnawed through to the seeds by animals, most likely agoutis.