Hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata) in Canada: population and reproductive biology of a rare species

Abstract

In Canada, Ptelea trifoliata L. (Rutaceae) is restricted in its natural distribution primarily to the Lake Erie shoreline. Although it is locally successful as a colonizing species, it appears inhibited from either exploiting a large area of shoreline habitat or extending its range inland. The morphological descriptions of the hop tree's sexual expression have been ambiguous; however, our observations show this species to be clearly dioecious, with only about 2% of the otherwise male plants producing a few hermaphroditic flowers, and fruit. The sex ratio is strongly skewed toward the males, which produce more and showier inflorescences than female plants. Despite this, the insect visitation rates are not significantly different between the sexes. For pollination, the hop tree is a polyphilic generalist, dependent on a diverse array of insects, including short-tongued bees, wasps, and flies. It is totally dependent on wind-dispersed seeds for establishment, lacking the ability to grow clonally. In a dioecious species of disturbed habitats, this is exceptional.