Hermaphroditism in the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg

The aim of this work was to obtain infomiation about the reproductive biology of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg. The intemal organization of the flowers of 13 clones of the species (GT 711, PR 107, Fx 25, AVROS 1328, RRIM 526, RRIM 600, Tjir 1, Tjir 16, IAC 1, IAC 2, IAN 2652, IAN 2813 and PB 86) was studied by analysing the Mstological sections of flower buds. Among female flowers 25.8 per cent were hermaphodites (in clones GT 711, Tjir 16, PR 107 and AVROS 1328). There was evidence of protandry and cleistogamy in H. brasiliensis.