Reproductive biology in species of the genus Nothofagus

Abstract

The reproductive systems of three species of Nothofagus, N. dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst., N. nitida (Phil.) Krasser and N. obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst. (Fagaceae), were studied in their natural forest habitats in Valdivia, Chile, using controlled manual pollination, as well as auto- and cross-pollination methods. The three species, which are monoecious and anemophilous, flower and form fruit between September and February. They are highly self-incompatible and the formation of seeds under natural conditions is infrequent. In cross-pollination tests, however, the frequency of seed formation could be increased. The results of these tests have also been analysed in relation to climatic factors. © 1995.