Sexual reproduction in Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth). II. Seed production in natural populations.

Published online
01 Jan 1980
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2402967

Author(s)
Barrett, S. C. H.

Publication language
English
Location
Canada

Abstract

Sexual reproduction and natural seed production in Eichhornia crassipes was examined in a total of 19 populations from 2 tropical regions (Lower Amazon and Costa Rica) and 2 temperate regions (California and southern USA). Of 7750 flowers sampled, 45.9% produced capsules with an average of 44.2 seeds/capsule. Seed production was twice as great in tropical populations as in temperate populations. This difference is probably associated with higher levels of insect visitation to flowers of E. crassipes in tropical regions. Seedlings growing in saturated soil were observed in 3 of the populations. The seasonal pattern of seed production during 1976 was estimated for a population at Stockton, California. Seed production was low at the beginning and end of the flowering season (June-November) but reached a peak in September. Controlled field pollinations showed that seed set was sub-maximal throughout the season. The foraging behaviour of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) largely determined the seasonal levels of seed production at Stockton, California. The major factors limiting sexual reproduction in E. crassipes are low and 'inefficient' pollinator service, which limits fecundity and the absence of suitable ecological conditions for seed germination and seedling establishment. From summary.

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