Mating strategies in a ruderal weed: case history of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.

摘要

Weeds have evolved diverse reproductive strategies to establish themselves in new areas and selfing has proved essential for the preservation of genotype as also for ensuring reproductive success albeit at the cost of reduced genetic diversity. Present study focused on Hyptis suaveolens, is an addition to this context. In sub—tropical climates of Jammu, this species grows as exotic weed and appears as outcrosser on the basis of its floral features, however, details of the floral phenology confirm itto be an inbreeder. This shift of breeding system from outcrossing to inbreeding helps the species for the successful invasion and colonization in new areas which otherwise could have proved unsuitable for its existence. Undesirable side effect however,is low seed set.