极度濒危树种羊角槭花部形态特征及开花动态

以天目山自然保护区人工栽培的濒危树种羊角槭（Acer yangjuechi Fang et P.L.Chiu）为研究对象,于花期观察了花部形态特征、单株与群体水平开花动态,分析开花与结实的关系,结果表明：1.羊角槭花杂性、顶生花序着生有雄花和两性花,两性花多位于花轴顶端,雄花位于侧生轴顶端或下部,花序雄花与两性花数量比为三角槭的2.6倍,羊角槭枝条两性花偏少;2.观察到两种形态雄花,Ⅰ型雄花子房微型、柱头极度短缩呈黑点状、花盘较平,Ⅱ型雄花子房退化成一团白色绒毛,2裂柱头隐现,花盘较厚、辐射状凹裂;两性花子房成扁球状突出,柱头显著伸出,花丝长度短于雄花;3.单株两性花早于雄花开放,两性花集中于3日以内开放,呈集中开放模式,而对应此时同株上只有极个别雄花（7%以下）处于散粉阶段;4.群体两性花开放时期略早于雄花,二者间存在相对的间隔期。由此对羊角槭开花与种胚发育影响因素进行了探讨。     

倒地铃花的形态分化与花药结构研究

利用体视显微镜、半薄切片和超薄切片法对倒地铃(Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn.)雄花和假两性花开花过程及花药发育过程进行了观察和比较研究。结果显示:(1)花蕾发育早期,倒地铃雄花和假两性花的花蕾形态没有区别;花蕾发育后期,雄花雌蕊退化,假两性花雌蕊继续发育,花蕾外部形态出现差异;开花时雄花花药开裂,假两性花花药不开裂。(2)倒地铃雄花和假两性花均具四室花药,呈蝶形;花药壁细胞从外到内依次是表皮、药室内壁、中层(2层)和绒毡层;花药壁发育为基本型,绒毡层为单核分泌型,四分体为四面体型,花粉粒两核;开花时雄花和假两性花中层都有残留;小孢子液泡化时,绒毡层开始降解,两核花粉粒时,假两性花绒毡层降解较快。(3)雄花药室内壁次生加厚完全,裂口区发育,连接同侧花粉囊的连接组织降解,花药开裂;假两性花药室内壁次生加厚不完全,具唇形细胞,药隔细胞壁未降解,同侧花粉囊未连通,花药四室,不开裂;假两性花成熟花粉粒细胞质稀少,内壁不完整。本研究结果表明,倒地铃的雄花是由两性花在发育早期雌蕊停止发育形成的,假两性花则由两性花在发育晚期雄蕊功能退化造成的。     

七叶树繁育系统的研究

对七叶树的开花物候期、花部特征、单花开放动态、花粉活力、柱头可授性、花粉-胚珠比(P/O)和杂交指数(OCI)等有关生殖生物学特性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)在西安地区七叶树4月22日进入初花期,5月5日至13日为盛花期,5月14日进入终花期,整个群花期持续30d左右,单花花期持续5～8d。(2)七叶树的花有雄花和两性花两种形态,其在形态大小和生理上有显著差异,雄花小于两性花,其子房退化,雄花的花粉活力远远大于两性花的花粉活力,雄花开花当天花粉活力最强,达到75.69%,是七叶树授粉的最佳时间;两性花雌雄蕊发育正常,其柱头可授期持续8～9d,开花后3d柱头可授性达到最强。(3)P/O和OCI检测结果均表明,七叶树繁育系统为异交,需要传粉者,属于雄全同株植物。     

利用腊叶标本初探豹子花属植物的性表达及其与个体大小的关系

植物性系统进化过程中很少有植物通过雌性败育的方式实现性系统由联合走向分离,然而雄花在百合科植物中大量存在,引起了研究者的关注。本研究利用百合科豹子花属植物的腊叶标本,获取它们的花性别表型、花大小、株高以及分布海拔等信息探讨豹子花属植物的性表达样式,并对样本量较多的开瓣豹子花、云南豹子花、多斑豹子花和豹子花四个种的性表达及其与个体大小的关系进行分析。研究结果表明:1)六种豹子花属植物标本中都有雄花存在;根据雄性花和两性花的不同组合,形成雄性个体、两性花个体,和雄花两性花同株个体三种植株类型;2)个体大小(株高)和分布海拔之间不存在相关关系,和植株性别类型相关,即雄性个体一般显著小于具有雌性功能的两性花个体和雄花两性花同株个体;3)个体大小与花大小、每个个体开花总数和雌花数量成显著的正相关关系,而与每个个体的雄花数量无显著的相关关系。本研究更正了一直以来对豹子花属植物性系统的错误认识,首次报道雄花在豹子花属植物中普遍存在,并指出雄花和雄性个体的出现是大小依赖性分配的结果。同时,以研究实例证明了利用腊叶标本开展植物性系统多样性的可行性。     

澜沧舞花姜繁殖生物学特性及其进化意义探讨

 舞花姜属（Globba）植物具有多样的繁殖策略。分布于西双版纳的澜沧舞花姜（Globba lancangensis）自然条件下既能结实,同时又能在花序下部产生珠芽。通过对澜沧舞花姜的花部性状、花粉活力、传粉昆虫的访花行为、结实状况、珠芽产量等多方面的观测,初步了解了澜沧舞花姜的繁殖生物学特性。结果表明,澜沧舞花姜具有雄花及两性花同株的性表达特征。雄花及两性花的花粉在中午12∶00以前活力很高,之后雄花的花粉活力急剧下降,而两性花的花粉到16∶00仍有萌发能力。澜沧舞花姜在花序上产生雄花及两性花,每个花序每天仅开少量的花,其中50%的时间仅开雄花或两性花,在整个种群中形成了一定程度的暂时性的雄花两性花异株现象,从而增加了异交的可能性。澜沧舞花姜雄花的存在为P/O低的两性花提供了花粉补贴,这使得它可以通过调节雄花与两性花比例来调节种群的P/O,从而保证一定的结实能力。人工自交与异交下结果率没有差异,但自交结实率显著低于异交结实率,表明澜沧舞花姜有明显的自交不亲和现象。排蜂（Megapis dorstata）和黄绿彩带蜂（Nomia strigata）是澜沧舞花姜的主要访花昆虫,其中排蜂是它的有效传粉昆虫。澜沧舞花姜可能通过雄花两性花同株与自交不亲和相结合来促进异交。     

利用腊叶标本初探豹子花属植物的性表达及其与个体大小的关系?

植物性系统进化过程中很少有植物通过雌性败育的方式实现性系统由联合走向分离,然而雄花在百合科植物中大量存在,引起了研究者的关注。本研究利用百合科豹子花属植物的腊叶标本,获取它们的花性别表型、花大小、株高以及分布海拔等信息探讨豹子花属植物的性表达样式,并对样本量较多的开瓣豹子花、云南豹子花、多斑豹子花和豹子花四个种的性表达及其与个体大小的关系进行分析。研究结果表明：1)六种豹子花属植物标本中都有雄花存在;根据雄性花和两性花的不同组合,形成雄性个体、两性花个体,和雄花两性花同株个体三种植株类型;2)个体大小(株高)和分布海拔之间不存在相关关系,和植株性别类型相关,即雄性个体一般显著小于具有雌性功能的两性花个体和雄花两性花同株个体;3)个体大小与花大小、每个个体开花总数和雌花数量成显著的正相关关系,而与每个个体的雄花数量无显著的相关关系。本研究更正了一直以来对豹子花属植物性系统的错误认识,首次报道雄花在豹子花属植物中普遍存在,并指出雄花和雄性个体的出现是大小依赖性分配的结果。同时,以研究实例证明了利用腊叶标本开展植物性系统多样性的可行性。     

湿地植物大花百合种群的性系统特征

开花植物性系统特征是植物在长期适应进化过程中逐渐形成的繁殖策略, 它在一定程度上影响了物种的种群结构及其在生境中的分布格局, 因此性系统特征一直是植物进化与生态学领域的研究热点。本研究于2012年和2020年在吉林省金川泥炭沼泽湿地, 通过样地调查取样的方法, 研究了湿地植物大花百合(Lilium concolor var. megalanthum)的性系统特征以及不同性别表型植株的比例、密度及空间分布格局, 并探究了大花百合植株个体大小和其性别表达的联系, 比较了不同性别表型的花粉实际可育性和来源不同的花粉授粉处理结实后的种子活力。结果显示, 个体水平上, 大花百合具有雄花植株、两性花植株和雄花两性花同株(即雄全同株) 3种性表型; 种群水平上, 具有雄花的个体充当父本, 通过花粉向下一代传递基因, 而具有两性花的个体主要充当母本, 通过胚珠实现基因的传递。2020年大花百合雄花植株占种群内开花植株的39.14%, 相比2012年雄花植株比例增加了22.80%; 大花百合种群分布密度为0.06株/m², 较2012年下降了0.09株/m²。从2012年到2020年, 总体表现为种群密度降低, 雄花植株相对比例增加的趋势。两性花植株和雄花植株在小尺度范围主要呈聚集分布, 随着尺度增大, 趋于随机分布。雄花植株显著小于两性花植株, 但鳞茎资源分配显著高于两性花植株。大花百合植株的性表达遵循大小依赖的性分配假说: 个体较小的植株表达为雄花植株, 而个体较大的植株则为两性花植株或雄全同株。在不同授粉处理下的结籽率和种子萌发结果表明, 大花百合自花授粉结籽率和坐果率显著低于异花授粉, 雄花植株和两性花植株花粉可育性以及对两性花植株授粉后所获得种子活力无显著差异。大花百合雄花植株的出现可能是对有限环境资源条件适应的结果, 反映了湿地条件下该植物在生长和繁殖资源之间的权衡策略, 在长期的湿地演变过程中, 这种性系统特征的出现具有一定的适应性意义。     

中国北亚热带油橄榄(城固32)开花生物学特性研究

为研究北亚热带内陆地区油橄榄（Olea europaea L.）开花物候、开花样式及花器官特征,探讨其有性繁殖系统的特点。试验对西秦岭南坡地区油橄榄（城固32）的开花生物学进行研究,统计开花进程,雄花和两性花在花序上的着生位置和数量,测定雄花和两性花形态指标并切片观察,电镜扫描分析雄花与两性花花粉粒。结果表明：（1）在北亚热带北缘内陆气候条件下油橄榄花期集中在5月,单株花期15~20 d,盛花期持续4~6 d;（2）油橄榄具有雄全同株的性系统且花器官较小,雄花及两性花都具有正常发育的雄蕊。通过制作石蜡切片观察,发现两性花的雌蕊正常发育,而雄花只有较小的子房和败育的柱头;（3）雌蕊是两种花型花器官生物量差异的主要部位,两性花雌蕊的生物量明显比雄花大（P<0.01）,树体分化出雄花投入的资源更少;（4）雄花与两性花在花粉量、花粉粒大小上差异不显著,在着生位置上,花序轴顶花全部为两性花,雄花出现在花序轴的中部和基部的几率分别是21.13%和30.77%。油橄榄品种城固32具有典型的雄全同株现象,雄花更倾向于在花序上出现的位置在行使它雄性功能方面并无优势可言,而且雄花花粉粒在数量、活力方面也没有优势,但是雄花的出现增加了花粉数量和P/O值,提高了植株的雄性适合度,雄花的出现也降低了两性花落花导致的树体资源浪费,保障其在资源有限的环境中能够繁殖最大化。     

刺山柑雄全同株性系统的适应意义

对分布于新疆北部干旱荒漠区的刺山柑Capparisspinosa性系统进行了研究.结果表明:(1)该物种具有典型的雄全同株性系统.雄花和两性花的雄蕊均正常发育,且有长短之分;两性花的雌蕊发育正常,而雄花的雌蕊败育,只行使雄性功能.(2)居群间每天开放的雄花和两性花比率、两性花的长短雄蕊数及雄花短雄蕊的花丝与花药长等存在极显著差异(P<0.01),但花器官生物量没有显著差异(P>0.05).(3)单花花期为15-16 h,每天18:00时左右开始开放,有强烈的气味和花蜜产生.植株每天产生的雄花和两性花数是随机的,可形成短时的雄花与两性花异株,但居群内雄花数比两性花数多.(4)三个居群两性花的P/O值分别为1.57×104、1.65×104和1.71×104.居群内雄花和两性花的花粉数及长、短雄蕊花药的花粉数均无显著差异(P>0.05),居群间雄花和两性花的花粉数、两性花的胚珠数及P/O值差异也不显著(P>0.05).(5)各居群雄花和两性花长短雄蕊的花粉活力动态变化曲线相似,花粉寿命为18-20 h,两性花雌蕊柱头的可授期为16-18h.(6)访花昆虫为膜翅目Hymenoptera和鳞翅目Lepidoptera昆虫,3个居群共有7种访花昆虫,其活动受天气影响很大.(7)两性花不存在无融合生殖现象,授自花花粉、同株异花花粉和异株异花花粉后均可结实,属于混合交配系统.刺山柑的雄全同株性系统可能是在长期与荒漠环境相适应的过程中由遗传和环境共同作用的结果.雄花的出现不仅增加了花粉数和P/O值,提高了植株的雄性适合度,同时增加了花的数量、对传粉昆虫的吸引力以及两性花柱头接受异花花粉的机会,提高了异交率和雌性适合度,保障其在荒漠极端环境中繁殖成功.     

新疆郁金香一居群个体性别7年的动态变化

在雌雄同株植物中, 花性别被认为是两性资源分配对环境条件的响应, 了解个体性别随时间的变化对探讨植物性系统的变异有重要意义。早春短命植物新疆郁金香(Tulipa sinkiangensis)多为两性花居群, 前期调查显示一些居群由雄花和两性花构成。为了探讨新疆郁金香雄花的发生与变化, 我们连续7年对一个居群的花性别及其变化动态进行了跟踪。结果显示: (1)该居群主要是由一朵花植株和两朵花植株构成, 分别占居群植株总数的74.5%和23.0%。两种性别的花随机分布在不同类型的单株上, 形成了以两性花植株为主, 含有雄株、雄花与两性花同株(andromonoecy)的居群结构。(2)雄花相对较小, 子房退化, 无胚珠发育, 在植株或居群中花期较晚出现。与相同大小的两性花相比, 雄花在单花花粉量、花粉败育率、花粉粒大小及形态、雄性功能等方面没有差异。(3) 7年间, 雄花在居群中的比例经历了2011-2014年间的显著下降(23.4-3.1%)和2015-2017年间相对稳定的零星分布(1.5-1.0%)两个阶段。居群中一朵花植株数量和两朵花植株数量在年份间呈波动性变化。(4)雄花的出现可能是植株受自身资源状况及环境条件等因素的影响在花性别选择上作出的可塑性反应。     

Pollen and Resource Limitation in Veratrum nigrum L. （Liliaceae）, an Andromonoecious Herb

Pollen limitation and resource limitation were invoked to account for the pattern that flowering plants produce more flowers and ovules than fruits and seeds. This study aimed to determine their relative importance in Veratrum nigrum, a self-compatible, perennial, andromonoecious herb. In order to determine whether female production was limited by pollen grains on stigmas or by available resources, we performed supplemental hand pollination in three populations, male-flower-bud removal in three other populations, and emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers in still another population, resulting in a total of seven populations experimentally manipulated. Across the three populations, supplemental hand pollination did not significantly increase fruit set, seed number per fruit, and total seed production per individual, nor did emasculation of hermaphroditic flowers. Taken together, our results suggest that pollen grains deposited on stigmas were abundant enough to fertilize all the ovules. Male-flower-bud removal significantly increased the mean size of hermaphroditic flowers in all three populations. Female reproductive success was increased in one population, but not in the other two populations possibly due to heavy flower/seed predation. We concluded that the female reproductive success of V. nigrum was not limited by pollen grains but by available resources, which is consistent with Bateman＇s principle. Furthermore, the female reproduction increase of male-flower-bud removal individuals might suggest a trade-off between male and female sexual functions.     

Male flowers are better fathers than hermaphroditic flowers in andromonoecious Passiflora incarnata

? The diversity of plant breeding systems provides the opportunity to study a range of potential reproductive adaptations. Many mechanisms remain poorly understood, among them the evolution and maintenance of male flowers in andromonoecy. Here, we studied the role of morphologically male flowers ('male morph') in andromonoecious Passiflora incarnata. ? We measured morphological differences between hermaphroditic and male morph flowers in P.?incarnata and explored the fruiting and siring ability of both flower types. ? Male morph flowers in P.?incarnata were of similar size to hermaphroditic flowers, and there was little evidence of different resource allocation to the two flower types. Male morph flowers were less capable of producing fruit, even under ample pollen and resource conditions. By contrast, male morph flowers were more successful in siring seeds. On average, male morph flowers sired twice as many seeds as hermaphroditic flowers. This difference in male fitness was driven by higher pollen export from male morph flowers as a result of greater pollen production and less self-pollen deposition. ? The production of male morph flowers in P.?incarnata appears to be a flexible adaptive mechanism to enhance male fitness, which might be especially beneficial when plants face temporary resource shortages for nurturing additional fruits.     

Fruit to flower ratios and trade-offs in size and number

Summary Hermaphroditic flowering plants commonly produce many more flowers than fruits. To interpret this observation, I suggest an explanation based on trade-offs occurring between the size and the number of flowers and fruits that mature when resources are limiting. I make this suggestion concrete with the aid of a phenotypic model analysed using the ESS approach. The model includes resource allocations to male and female reproductive structures at the time of flowering and to fruit maturation. The formulation allows for non-linear relations between opportunities for fertility gain on the one hand and flower and fruit size and number on the other. Results of the model indicate that fewer fruits will be matured than flowers produced, even in the absence of previously suggested factors such as pollinator limitation and bet-hedging in the face of environmental variability. Model results emphasize the distinction between flower versus inflorescence contributions to male and female reproductive success. Analysis also shows that the fruit to flower ratio in hermaphroditic plants will be lower than that in female plants, in accord with broad taxonomic surveys. Finally, results obtained lead to empirically testable predictions about the relationship between flower size, fruit size and the fruit to flower ratio. Methods to test these predictions are discussed.     

A REEXAMINATION OF THE POLLEN-DONATION HYPOTHESIS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL POPULATION OF ASCLEPIAS EXALTATA

The evolution of large floral displays in hermaphroditic flowering plants has been attributed to natural selection acting to enhance male, rather than female, reproductive success. Proponents of the “pollen-donation hypothesis” have assumed that maternal resources, rather than levels of effective pollination, limit fruit set. We investigated the pollen-donation hypothesis in an experimental population of poke milkweed, Asclepias exaltata, where effective pollination did not limit fruit set. Specifically, we examined the effects of flower number per plant, and flower number per umbel on male reproductive success (number of fruits sired) and female reproductive success (number of fruits matured). In 1990, a paternity analysis was performed on fruits collected from 53 plants whose inflorescences were not manipulated. Flower number per plant was significantly correlated with male success, but not with plant gender. Flower number per plant was also significantly correlated with female success, but umbel number and stem number per plant together explained more than half (58%) the variation in female success. The percentage of fruit set was not significantly correlated with flower number per plant. Plants with large floral displays did not disproportionately increase in male reproductive success, relative to female success, as predicted by the pollen-donation hypothesis. In 1991, the effect of flower number per umbel on male and female reproductive success was investigated. Flower number per umbel was manipulated on four umbels per plant by removing flowers to leave 6, 12, or 18 flowers in each umbel. Plants with the largest umbels effectively pollinated twice as many flowers on other plants, but produced only 1.35 times as many fruits as plants with 6 and 12 flowers per umbel. Relative maleness of plants with large umbels was nearly twice that of small and medium umbels. Although these observations are consistent with the pollen-donation hypothesis at the level of umbels, they are problematic, because much of the variation in flower number per umbel exists within, rather than among, plants in natural populations. Thus, plants consist of both reproductively male (large) and female (small) inflorescences, which act to increase total reproductive success. It is therefore inappropriate to explain the evolution of large floral displays in milkweeds solely in terms of potential male reproductive success.     

Variable selection in Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae): phenotypic selection differed between sex functions in a drought year

We estimated selection on three morphological characters in the hermaphroditic, hawkmoth-pollinated orchid Platanthera bifolia and explored selection surfaces through male and female function. The work was carried out in northern Sweden during two flowering seasons (1994 and 1995) in one natural population and one season (1995) in another natural population. Fitness was estimated as number of pollinia removed (male function) and number of fruits produced (female function). We detected directional selection towards larger inflorescence size (flower number) through both sex functions in both populations in 1995. In 1994, with an unusually dry growing season, 78% of the individuals failed to set any fruit, and there was selection for larger inflorescences only through male function. In this year, there was selection towards longer flower spurs, which could be a direct or indirect effect of spurs being shortened by drought. The results demonstrate that selection patterns may vary temporally and spatially, and that the 'male function hypothesis' may be applicable as female function is more resource dependent than male function.     

Andromonoecy in Solanum lycocarpum A. St. -Hil. (Solanaceae): Floral attributes,visitors and variation in sexual expression over time

Sexual expression in andromonoecious species—those in which a single individual can bear both staminate and hermaphroditic flowers—may vary among reproductive events in the same plant, among individuals and across populations. This variation influences, in turn, the individual contribution of hermaphroditic plants via male and female fitness functions (i.e., Lloydʼs phenotypic gender). However, temporal variation in sexual expression in andromonoecious species and its relationship with seasonal changes in climatic conditions remain poorly understood. Here we analyze floral attributes, visitors and variation in sexual expression in three populations of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. -Hil. Seasonality in the production of floral types, the mating system and floral visitors were also investigated. Hermaphroditic flowers produced more pollen grains, but the pollen of staminate flowers had higher viability. Only hermaphroditic flowers produced fruits, and ovules in staminate flowers were sterile. Solanum lycocarpum is mainly pollinated by large bees with the ability to vibrate flowers. Phenotypic gender varied throughout the year, and the seasonal production of staminate flowers is associated with the local climate. We suggest that the higher and seasonally variable relative abundance of staminate flowers compared to the low and uniform production of hermaphroditic flowers may be explained by (a) the very high energetic costs incurred in producing large fruits, which in turn make hermaphroditic flower production very costly, and (b) the potentially lower energy expenditure of the smaller staminate flowers with reduced pistils and non-viable ovules that allow them to rapidly respond to climate variability.     

雄全异株植物瘿椒树（省沽油科）的传粉生物学

从开花动态、传粉昆虫、花的形态结构、繁育系统、花粉活力和柱头可授性等方面研究了我国特有珍稀植物瘿椒树（Tapiscia sinensis Oliv.）的传粉生物学特性。瘿椒树是典型的雄全异株植物,两性花中含有功能性花粉,且自交亲和,但雄花花粉活力和萌发力是两性花的10倍以上。雄株和两性植株具有相同开花物候期,花期均为5月下旬至6月上旬,单花期为4-5天,雄花和两性花的5枚花药开裂的不同步性明显延长了散粉时间。两性花雌蕊先熟,柱头可授性较长。具有适应风媒和虫媒传粉的花部特征。传粉昆虫主要为蜜蜂科（Apidae）和食蚜蝇科（Syrphidae）昆虫,访花高峰期为8：30-10：30。维持瘿椒树雄全异株的可能机制是：雄株总体上增加了异交花粉的数量和质量;两性花的雄蕊为该物种提供了繁殖保障,同时为传粉者提供了报酬。     

雄全异株植物瘿椒树(省沽油科)的传粉生物学

从开花动态、传粉昆虫、花的形态结构、繁育系统、花粉活力和柱头可授性等方面研究了我国特有珍稀植物瘿椒树(Tapiscia sinensis Oliv.)的传粉生物学特性。瘿椒树是典型的雄全异株植物,两性花中含有功能性花粉,且自交亲和,但雄花花粉活力和萌发力是两性花的10倍以上。雄株和两性植株具有相同开花物候期,花期均为5月下旬至6月上旬,单花期为4-5天,雄花和两性花的5枚花药开裂的不同步性明显延长了散粉时间。两性花雌蕊先熟,柱头可授性较长。具有适应风媒和虫媒传粉的花部特征。传粉昆虫主要为蜜蜂科(Apidae)和食蚜蝇科(Syrphidae)昆虫,访花高峰期为8:30-10:30。维持瘿椒树雄全异株的可能机制是:雄株总体上增加了异交花粉的数量和质量;两性花的雄蕊为该物种提供了繁殖保障,同时为传粉者提供了报酬。     

Floral herbivore effect on the sex expression of an andromonoecious plant,Isomeris arborea (Capparaceae)

Flower-feeding insects may influence the reproductive behavior of their host plant. In plants with labile sex expression, the ratio of maternal to paternal investment may change in response to damage, an effect that goes beyond the direct reduction of plant gametes. We examined the effects of floral herbivory by the beetle Meligethes rufimanus (Nitidulidae) on the ratio of hermaphroditic flowers to male flowers in an andromonoecious shrub, Isomeris arborea (Capparaceae) in southern California. Plants exposed to herbivory had a greater rate of flower bud abortion than those protected from herbivory. Exposed plants produced a greater proportion of hermaphroditic flowers to male flowers, although damaged inflorescences still produced fewer fruit. An additional manipulative experiment showed that the removal of pistils on inflorescences led to an increase in the proportion of hermaphroditic flowers. This suggests that the presence of fruit may lead to pistil suppression in developing flowers. Adaptive responses to herbivory which favor andromonoecy thus include the continued production of hermaphroditic flowers when floral damage is high (and hence low fruit set), and a switch to male flower production when floral damage is low (and fruit production increases). The consequences of an altered six ratio induced by insect herbivores may lead to indirect effects on both the male and female reproductive success of this plant.