The dioecious character (sex ratios and stand structures, conspecific neigh
bour relationships, inflorescence numbers and structure) and reproductive p
rocess (phenology, anthesis, flower visitors and fruit production) of a mio
mbo woodland species, Uapaca kirkiana were investigated in natural populati
ons in Malawi. The sex ratio of reproductive individuals greater than or eq
ual to 10 cm diameter at breast height was about 1:1 and departures from th
is ratio mostly resulted from a higher proportion of the males. Spatially,
the sexes were randomly distributed but generally within 10 m of each other
with no obvious gender differences in size. Throughout Malawi, male and fe
male reproductive individuals flower synchronously between October-April (w
ith a peak period in February-March). A 6: 1 male to female inflorescence s
ex ratio was common. Anthesis in female inflorescences lasts almost twice a
s long as in male inflorescences and only the latter have any odour. On mal
e trees, inflorescences are in fascicles, whereas on female trees, they are
solitary. In both cases, the infloresences are generally similar in size e
xcept for the peduncles of the male inflorescences which are longer than th
e female's. A range of insects visits U. kirkiana flowers but the most like
ly pollinators are bees (Apis mellifera), and beetles (Dothera bennigseni,
Chelomenes lunata, Alcidodes denticulatus and Mitracamenta sp.). Apart from
pollen from the male inflorescences, female flowers do not offer any obvio
us reward for flower visitors. Pollination studies revealed that assisted p
ollination did not significantly improve fruit production or seed quality o
ver unpollinated or naturally pollinated inflorescences. Facultative agamos
permy (apomixis) is suspected as a phenomenon requiring further attention i
n U. kirkiana.