Precocious flowering and reproductive biology of Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum
Abstract
Whereas Triplochiton scleroxylon rarely flowers in its native West Africa until at least 15 years old, 15 plants representing eight different clones flowered in successive years between February and August in tropicalised glasshouses near Edinburgh, within 26 to 82 months of germination. Cuttings originating from one mature tree also flowered. Freshly collected pollen remained viable for at least 16 wk when stored dry at -250 C, and germinated best in 20% sucrose + 0.005% boric acid. Pollen stored at room temperature lost viability within 1 wk. Cross-pollinations with fresh and stored pollen were successful, with 8% of the resulting fruits reaching maturity; 16% of the seeds from these fruits subsequently germinated, forming normal seedlings.
Citation
Commonwealth Forestry Review (1981) 60 (2) 117-126
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