A study of the pollination biology of the (gyno) dioecious fig, Ficus capreifolia Del. (Moraceae)

Abstract

Ficus capreifolia is a (gyno)dioecious species with separate male and female plants bearing male and female syconia respectively. Male syconia had staminate flowers near the ostiolar region of their syconia and numerous short-styled pistillate flowers. Female syconia had only Iong-styled pistillate flowers throughout their syconia. A mature plant produced up to three hundred syconia. The fIoral morphology and phenology of Ficus capreitolia DeI. (Sub-section Sycidiun, Family: Moraceae) was studied (in the Umdloti area, 2go} and 310E, Republic of South Africa). MaIe and female syconia were produced asynchronously on separate plants growing on sandy river banks. FIoraI characters analysed revealed peduncular bracts, trap-blossom syconia, perfect heterostyly amongst other characteristics in line with other (gyno)dioecious species of figs described. Information is presented about ostiolar bracts, sizes of pedicel, style and ovary in Band D-phase syconia of gaII and seed figs. A developmental cycle of about L2O-LAO days with an extended prefemale phase was recorded for both gal1 and seed figs. The marginal southern latitude, cool, dry weather and low population levels of plants and pollinators appeared to Iimit the spread of this plant.