Research note: A preliminary study of sexual reproduction in Portulacaria afra

Abstract

The sexual reproductive system of Portulacaria afra is characterized by the occurrence of gynodioecy; hermaphrodite and female plants occur in approximately equal proportions in all the populations studied. Female plants produce large quantities of viable seed whilst seed production in the hermaphrodite plants is limited. These modifications in the methods of sexual reproduction may have important implications for the future survival of this species.