The sex ratio and fruit production of laboratory-germinated seedlings of Halophila engelmannii Aschers. (Hydrocharitaceae) from Redfish Bay, Texas

Approximately equal numbers of staminate and pistillate plants were produced within a seedling population of Halophila engelmannii Aschers. Among 61 seedlings that produced flowers under laboratory conditions, 33 were male and 28 were female, indicating a probable 50:50 ratio. Under controlled conditions, staminate flowers released pollen during the daylight hours and the moniliform strands of pollen grains floated on the water surface. After artificial pollination, fruits and seeds developed in the laboratory cultures. Although flowering in the natural beds of Redfish Bay was not extensive in 1988, the ratio of staminate to pistillate shoots was recorded as 42:58.