Status and reproduction of Lomatophyllum macrum (Haw.) Salm-Dyck (Liliacees), a threatened endemic species of La Reunion Island

Knowledge of the demography and of the reproductive biology of endangered p lant species is crucial for the establishment of an efficient conservation strategy. The authors show that Lomatophyllum macrum, an endangered lily en demic to La Reunion island, is represented by less than 15 populations of e xtremely reduced size. The analysis of fecundity in natural conditions show s that the fructification rate is no more than 20 %. The breeding system st udy, performed on 9 cultivated plants in the greenhouse, reveals that the s pecies is partially self-compatible but poorly self-fertile. In the light o f these results, the survival of these populations is questioned. Future st udies are proposed to improve the basic knowledge of the biology of this sp ecies for a long term conservation strategy of its populations in the wild.