A specimen of Ilex (Ilex rotunda) is dominating the valley in the Japanese locality of Yasu (Kochi, Shikoku).
In some years (2005, 2012…) it is decorated by an enormous amount of red fruits.
In other years, this specimen doesn't bear ANY fruit.
I am observing this behavior for many years, although I didn't achieve a clear understanding for its reasons.
Many trees species have irregular seedlings and do collaborate with other surrounding trees species to either "starve" their environment (consequently reducing the populations of the various living things which affect their seeds), or to simultaneously produce huge quantities of fruits, well beyond what the then-reduced populations of living things can handle (thus maximizing the chances for their seeds to survive, germinate and grow). These strategies however rarely result in "no fruiting at all" for several years.
The reasons behind this Ilex behavior are almost certainly similar (this tree may have "ennemies" and / or symbiotic "friends" with cycles comparable to its seedling behavior). From now on I shall record and study and report!
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| Ilex rotunda April 2012 specimen 8659 (http://www.naturetum.com/) |
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