Comparative reproductive biology of the six species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) in Hong Kong, South China
Six rhododendron species grow wild in Hong Kong: Rhododendron farrerae Tate and Rhododendron simsii Planch. are common and widespread, Rhododendron moulmainense Hook. f. is restricted, and Rhododendron championiae Hook. f., Rhododendron hongkongense Hutch., and Rhododendron simiarum Hance are rare. The length and timing of the flowering period varied between species, but peak flowering for all was between late February and early May, when weather is variable and unpredictable. All species were more or less self-sterile, had sucrose-dominated nectar, and were visited by diverse insects, of which Apis cerana, Bombus eximius, and Xylocopa spp. are the major pollinators. Seeds of all species, except R. simiarum, had a light requirement for germination. There were large differences between species in the pollen/ovule ratio (176-1343), daily nectar production (0.9-38.7 µL per flower), large bee visits (0.35-4.28 per flower per 100 h) and total visits (0.92-14.53), mean seed production per flower (2-135) and per plant (100 - 14 800), and mean seed weight (0.11-0.45 mg). The large-bee visitation rate was significantly correlated across species with mean daily nectar production and mean seed set. The two common species had the smallest flowers, lowest nectar production, lowest pollen/ovule ratios, fewest large bee visitors, and produced fewest seeds.Key words: breeding system, China, pollination, rarity, Rhododendron, seeds.