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Hermaphroditism in Pistacia atlantica Desf. : A New Report from ...

Hermaphroditism in Pistacia atlantica Desf. : A New Report from ...

Hermaphroditism in Pistacia atlantica Desf. : A New Report from ...

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The tree was multi-stemmed, nearly upright and 5 m <strong>in</strong> height<br />

with a canopy spread equal to its height (Figure 1).<br />

4<br />

Figure 1. Multistemmed P. <strong>atlantica</strong> tree.<br />

Inflorescence types and distribution<br />

Observations showed the bloom<strong>in</strong>g was protandrous (male<br />

clusters bloomed about one week before female clusters).<br />

Three types of <strong>in</strong>florescences were dist<strong>in</strong>guished on branches.<br />

Male <strong>in</strong>florescence<br />

They are conical <strong>in</strong> shape, compact, later loosen<strong>in</strong>g, and<br />

reddish before pollen shedd<strong>in</strong>g. Some of them take place as unmixed<br />

clusters on several branches. Incidence of such pure branches was very<br />

scarce on the canopy. Also, male clusters have rarely coexisted with the<br />

female ones on some branches.<br />

Female <strong>in</strong>florescence<br />

Female <strong>in</strong>florescences were less conical, compact and longer<br />

than the male <strong>in</strong>florescences. They were yellowish-green <strong>in</strong> colour, the<br />

perianth conta<strong>in</strong>ed a s<strong>in</strong>gle lanceolate and hairy bract with several<br />

sepals. Stigmas were prom<strong>in</strong>ent, bright p<strong>in</strong>k, unequally long and<br />

strongly recurved. Female clusters occur on one-year old wood like<br />

male clusters. Female clusters were located mostly on the outer canopy<br />

and generally but not always, unmixed (Figure 2).

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