Fruit-set and recruitment in populations of Cypripedium calceolus L. in Estonia

The overall mean percentage of fruiting for over 3500 flowers observed in eight Estonian populations of a self-compatible clonal orchid Cypripedium calceolus over 11 years was 10.5%. The larger clones set relatively fewer fruits, otherwise the general pattern of fruiting was close to random, despite several significant local deviations from random pollination. There is no cost associated with the fruit-set at the clonal level. The fruit-set which appears pollinator Limited was not correlated with the frequency of seedlings in a population. Data presented provide information on the relationship between fruit and seedling production in orchids. The sites suitable for seedling establishment are characterized as having relatively more extensive moss cover, less vascular plant cover, more moisture and better light conditions. Recruitment is concluded to be microsite limited, and the fruit-set to be without significant influence on the fitness of populations. (C) 1998 The Linnean Society of London.