Biomass allocation in hermaphrodite flowers

Patterns of dry matter distribution to male and female organs and to ancillary floral organs were examined in five angiosperm species with hermaphrodite flowers (Lilium superbum, Hibiscus trionum, Podophyllum peltatum, Trillium grandiflorum, and Erythronium albidum). Facultatively self-fertilizing species had higher ratios of female:male allocation while the obligate outbreeder L. superbum had higher male:female patterns. About half the floral dry matter (44–66%) was found in perianth parts as opposed to sporophylls in all species. These preliminary results and others drawn from the literature support the hypothesis that outbreeding species show relatively greater expenditure on male function than self-fertilizing species.