Abstract:Camellia nitidissima is one of endangered plants in China. Its flowering phenology and reproductive modules features of ex situ conservation in Guilin were investigated. The results showed that flowering process could be divided into four stages, such as loosing, opening, blooming and falling. The single flower life ranged from 2 to 8 days. The average blooming period of individuals was 37 days. The initial time of flowering in individuals showed great variability about more than two months. The initial time of flowering in population was in early January, and reached peak at early March, its blooming period lasted nearly 3 months. The number of reproductive modules related to plant diameter class and the layer of crown. The number of flowers and reproductive branches, ratio of reproductive branch of plant diameter > 6 cm were significantly higher than those of plant diameter < 4 cm and 4~6 cm, but no significant difference in flower number per reproductive branch. In different crown layers, the middle and lower layer were significantly higher than upper layer in number of reproductive branches and reproductive branch ratio, however, flower number per reproductive branch in upper layer was the biggest, and the number of flowers showed no significant difference. The abortive rate at bud stage, flowering stage, fruit stage were 16.33%, 63.05% and 44.09%, respectively, and they were differences among different plant diameter classes and crown layers. The high abortive rate lead to low setting and seed yield, it is one of reasons to make C. nitidissima endangered. Number of flowers was positively correlated with blooming period and initial time of flower was negatively correlated with blooming period and fruit setting.
