Reproductive aspects of Schinus areira L. (Anacardiaceae) in Argentina

Abstract

Schinus areira is a naturalized tree in northwestern and western Argentina, and extensively cultivated in the country. Our goals were (1) to determine the floral and reproductive biology of S. areira, (2) to compare different pregerminative treatments, and (3) to analyze the morphology of the seedlings during the development for their correct taxonomical identification. Analyses of floral biology and reproductive system, fruit and seed morphology, and different pregerminative treatments were carried out. Seedlings development was recorded at 90, 180, and 270 days. As a result, it was found that the fruit/flower ratio was very low or low, and the pollen/ovules ratio was very high. On the other hand, pregerminative treatments gave very low results that agree with fruit morphology. Seedlings had a normal growth reaching an average of 43 cm height at 270 days, and they developed simple basal leaves with a compuond leaves from approximatelly 180 days. We proposed that the species is dioecious and polygamomonoecious, mainly gynomonoecious, the pollination is ambophyly with predominance of entomophyly, and the seedlings development is phanerocotyledonar epigeous.