New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Flowering and fruiting patterns of three species of Melicytus (Violaceae) in New Zealand

MARY H. POWLESLAND*

Botany Department, University of Canterbury
Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand
M. PHILIPPf
Botany Division, DSIR
Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand

DAVID G. LLOYD

Botany Department, University of Canterbury
Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand

'Present address: 64 Roseneath Tee, Wellington 3, New Zealand fPresent address: Institute of Plant Ecology, University of Copenhagen, 0ster Farimagsgade 2D, DK-1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark Abstract The flowering and fruiting of Melicy- tus lanceolatus, M. ramiflorus, and M. micranthus are described. The three species show striking con- trasts. M. lanceolatus flowers in early spring and the plants flower profusely and synchronously over several weeks. M. ramiflorus flowers over the late spring and summer in a series of distinct episodes. This pattern was observed in three flowering seasons and at several localities in New Zealand. The number of flowering episodes per season var- ies between plants, localities, and seasons. Rower production varies with the age of wood on which the flowers are produced and between flowering episodes. Fruits may be produced in any episode and are present in large numbers through late sum- mer and autumn. M. micranthus has an extended flowering season from spring until autumn. The plants flower asynchronously and produce a few flowers at a time over a long period. Fruit are also present in low numbers over a long period (sum- mer, autumn, and winter). Factors which may be involved in the selection of these diverse flowering and fruiting patterns are discussed.

Keywords Melicytus; Melicytus lanceolatus; Melicytus ramiflorus; Melicytus micranthus; Vio- laceae; flowering phenology; fruiting; episodic flow- ering; extended flowering; sex differences

Received 6 November 1984; accepted 24 May 1985
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1985, Vol. 23: 581-596
0028-825X/85/2304-0581 $2.50/0 © Crown copyright 1985 581

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