Pollination Ecology of Himalayan Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae)

Fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as sea buckthorn or Leh-berry in India, constitute an important source for many medicinal and nutritional products. As the species is of high economic value, attempts are being made to establish commercial plantations for a sustainable supply. There is hardly any information on pollination ecology of this species, which is necessary for establishing and managing commercial plantations. We studied the floral biology and pollination ecology in natural populations of the species growing at Leh-Ladakh. H. rhamnoides is dioecious and exclusively wind-pollinated. The male flowers produce an enormous amount of dry, powdery pollen grains that remain viable for up to 48 h. The pollen flow in the air from the source is confined to 15 m. The female flowers are uniovulate. In nature, about 60% of the female flowers get pollinated with an average stigmatic pollen load (± SE) of 9.49 ± 0.76. For optimal plantation conditions, it is suggested that a male plant must be inter-planted within 10-15 m of the female plants for effective natural pollination.