Abstract
Abstract The reproductive biology and pollination of Phormium tenax was studied on Tiritiri Matangi Island and in Auckland, in the northern part of New Zealand. P. tenax reproduces asexually by offsets and sexually by large inflorescences. Offsets are monocarpic and inflorescences are terminal. Adjacent inflorescences often originate from the same genetic clone and each inflorescence usually carries many open flowers at the same time. Flower crops varied substantially from year to year. Flowers are protandrous hermaphrodites that exhibit partial dichogamy and herkogamy. The pollen or the stigma are presented sequentially for initial contact with floral visitors. Nectar rewards are greatest during the male phase of flowering. Results of controlled pollinations show that the plant preferentially outcrosses. Seeds are either large or small with the former predominating from outcrossed and natural pollinations. The capsules formed from self pollinations were rarely retained unless overall levels of pollinatio...
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