ABSTRACT:

This article presents a review on the floral biology, the pollination ecology and the population genetics in the genus Dieffenbachia (Araceae). Few studies had specifically studied Dieffenbachia species; in fact, data are available for only 5 species and not always in a complete way. In addition, some horticultural experiments on breeding and hormone treatments provide interesting complementary information. Even if the number of documented species is low; Dieffenbachia appears to be a genus presenting classic traits of cyclocephaline pollinated taxa. But more surprising these few data underline some variations of the pollination ecology or reproductive system within the genus suggesting a “dynamic” genus in terms of evolutionary changes. Further works on the biology and ecology of the species of this genus are needed and they should be done in the context of the tribe Spathicarpeae.