Breeding System, Sex Ratio and lndividual Size of the Gynodioecious Nototriche compacta (Malvaceae)in the Andes of Central Chile

Vbtotriche compacta (Malvaceae)is a gynodioecious endemic species distributed along the Andes. Chile. We studied the breeding system. sex ratio and individual size in two populations localized in Cerro Franciscano in the Andes of Central Chile {33019' S and 70016' W. eievation 3400-3470 m). In both populatiDns we compared sex characteristics and flower life span; counted the number of both merphs and sterile individuals. and their size; and made compatibility tests in both morphs. quantifying fruit number. number of non-fertilized and fertilized ovules and aborted seeds. Both morphs have a similar flower life and morphology; however. females have more stamens and have a wider calyx and petals, The number of hermaphrodites was significantly higher in oth populations; although in upper populations CUP}the difference was minor. Femaies are larger in size than hermaphrodites in both popula-tions but not significantly. Except for the apomixis est. all female and hermaphrodite individuals used in the other tests produced fruits; however. in both populations open-pollinated female and hand-pollinated hermaphrodite in-dividuals produced fewer fruits than manipulated and non-manipulated indivlduals, respectively. Analysis of develop-ed seeds and unfertilized ovule shows morph differences between treatments within and between populations. Results suggest that IVL compacta is selfing and crossing, but in the studied populations each morph has a different genetic contribution.