Plant-level fecundity and andromonoecy in three common (Melaleuca styphelioides, M. thymifolia, M. nodosa) and one rare (M. deanei) Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) species of the Sydney region

Abstract

This paper reports plant-level measures of reproductive performance from large and small field populations of the vulnerable species Melaleuca deanei F.Meull. compared with three common species within the genus: Melaleuca nodosa (Sol. ex Gaertn.) Sm., Melaleuca thymifolia Sm. and Melaleuca styphelioides Sm. Measures reported include average seed numbers per capsule and per plant; average fruit loads per plant; the proportion of buds that become flowers and thence fruits (fruit set); the number of ovules per flower and seed : ovule ratios (seed set); and floral morphologies. Results indicate that when M. deanei flowers, bud to flower ratios and flower to fruit ratios are not reduced compared with the congeners or between large and small populations. Seed loads per plant held by fruiting plants were comparable between the species and between large and small populations of M. deanei. Seed to ovule ratios were in the order of 5–9% in M. nodosa; 5–7% in M. styphelioides; 7–10% in M. deanei; and 12–15% in M. thymifolia. Larval herbivory of ovules was recorded in M. nodosa and pre-dispersal seed predation noted in M. thymifolia. Andromonoecy was recorded in two of the species at rates of 0.9–3.1% (M. deanei) and 2.9–7% (M. thymifolia). Results suggest that seed production within smaller populations of M. deanei is poor because of a low frequency of flowering and a low proportion of flowering plants per population, rather than plant-level pollination, fruit- or seed-set barriers. Further study is needed to determine the triggers to flowering, the breeding systems, the extent of clonality and the germination and establishment requirements in these species.