RAINY SEASON FLOWERING AND FRUITING PHONOLOGY OF PLANTS AT THE SOUTH FENCING SECTION OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN FARM PROJECT SITE

ABSTRACT

     Phenology is the study of the time of recurring natural phenomenon in plants. The study was carried out in University of Benin farm site south fence. The study was to monitor and record Plants that were flowering and fruiting between March 29th to May 30th. After the observation 17 species of plant was observed to have flowered and fruit. 16 plants flowered and 4 plants fruited during the period. Some of the plants were fruiting and flowering. The plants were grouped based on their flowering pattern. Plants.such as Commelina erecta, Chromoaena odorata and Sida acuta had single flowering period, plants with staggered flowering include Asystasia gangetica, Centrosema pubescens, Clerodendrum splendens, Emilia sonchifolia, Gomphrena celosiodies, Rauvolfia vonitoria, Talinum paniculatum, Talinum triangulare and tridax procumbens. Plants with continous flowering include Delonix regia and Duranta repens and plants that fruited only include Musa paradisica and Alchornea laxiflora. The patterns of phenology observed were different for each plant. Some flowered and fruited for short time, some imtemediate and some floweed and fruited throughout the period of observation.