The anther oil of Symphonia globulifera L.f. (Clusiaceae)

The chemical composition of the oil on the anthers of Symphonia globulifera L. f., in which the pollen grains are completely immersed, was investigated. An unsaturated fatty acid methyl ester (methyl nervonate), very rare in plants, was found to be the only component of the oil. The possible ecological implications of the presence of this oil on the anthers of the ornithophilous flowers of Symphonia are discussed.