Floral sex ratio variation in hermaphrodites of gynodioecious Chionographis japonica var. kurohimensis Ajima et Satomi (Liliaceae)

Intrapopulation and interpopulation variations in floral sex ratio in hermaphrodites of gynodioecious Chionographis japonica var. kurohimensis (Liliaceae) were examined. The relative ratio of male flowers to total flowers (male and perfect flowers) decreased with plant size, suggesting size-dependent gender modification. The relative ratio of male flowers per population-basis is negatively correlated with the mean number of perfect flowers. Since the number of perfect flowers proportionally increased with plant size, populations showing low maleness consist of relatively bigger plants and are considered to be in high-quality environment. On the other hand, the relative ratio of male flowers per population basis is independent of female frequency in the population. Plasticity in gender expression probably plays an important role of maintenance of gynodioecy in C. japonica var. kurohimensis.