Flower morphology of the resurrection plant Chamaegigas intrepidus Dinter and some of its potential pollinators

The resurrection plant Chamaegigas intrepidus Dinter (Scrophulariaceae) is a rare endemic species growing in ephemeral rock pools on isolated granite outcrops in Central Namibia. Previous studies suggested a high degree of gene flow within individual pools. Therefore, floral morphology, pollination and potential pollinators of the plant species were studied while the plants were at full flower set.The zygomorphous, intensively scenting flowers carry dense layers of trichomes (400–1600 mm−2) on the lower lip, similar to well-known oil-flowers. Four species of potential pollinators could be found. Two of them the Hymenoptera, Apis mellifera and Liotrigona bottegoi, were found to be rare, whereas beetles of the genus Condylops spec. (Condylops erongoensis and a new species) showed up with numbers up to 50 individuals m−2 in some pools, visiting the flowers most frequently. Individuals of Liotrigona and Condylops were proven to carry pollen of Chamaegigas after their flower visits. The results are discussed in relation to the genetic variability of the plant and the phenomenon of pollen limitation in rare plant species.