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Sexual Dimorphism And Intersexual Differences In Resource Allocations Of A Dioecious Shrub, Lindera Melissifolia (Walt.) Blume, Dennis J. Richardson, Robert D. Wright, Shannon Walker

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Morphometric data were gathered to make intersexual comparisons on the morphology and reproductive resource allocation patterns of the rare, dioecious shrub, Lindera melissifolia. Females produced significantly fewer flowers and leaves than did males. No other significant differences could be detected in morphology. Female "clones" exhibit low area coverage and low stem density, which suggests higher costs of reproduction. If this is the case, the deficits produced in resource allocations directed toward sexual reproduction seem to result in increased mortality and/or reduced vegetative reproduction.