Sexual and vegetative reproduction of striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.)

Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.) may reproduce sexually and vegetatively. Many aspects of both processes appear to be adaptations to the unpredictable occurrence, variable duration, and wide spacing of forest gaps. Flowering appeared to be initiated by a decline in plant growth brought about by crown closure. Further deterioration in growth conditions and plant health caused a sex change from male to female. Striped maple was primarily dioecious with a ratio of approximately 81 male: 15 female, but 4% of the population was monoecious. Seed dispersal was localized but appeared to offer the opportunity for wide dispersal. Layering and basal sprouting appeared to be means by which smaller and larger plants, respectively, cope with suppression caused by crown closure.