SEASONAL GROWTH RHYTHMS IN PEUMUS-BOLDUS, A DIOECIOUS TREE OF THE CHILEAN MEDITERRANEAN VEGETATION
Abstract
The relations between phenology, pollination and climate in P. boldus, a dioecious sclerophyllous evergreen tree of the Chilean Mediterranean vegetation, were studied. Observations were made on marked twigs of mature reproductive trees. Differences are observed between male and female individuals in the seasonal growth rhythms, shoot growth and duration of leaves. Insects visiting the flowers are identified as poorly selective pollinators. The adaptative strategies of this species probably evolved to meet the conditions of the Mediterranean climate, dioecy and their mutual interactions. The energetic cost of fruit development could affect the seasonal behavior of female trees and be related to the larger number of male individuals: in natural populations of P. boldus the male-female ratio is 1.5.