Baker's Law and Dioecism in the Hawaiian Flora: An Apparent Contradiction

Abstract

Much evidence available in the literature supports the contention of H. G. Baker that self-compatibility is the rule in plants which have undergone long distance dispersal. However, in the Hawaiian flora there may be a high incidence of dioecism which represents an extreme form of outbreeding. Data are compiled which support the viewpoint of a high er than continental incidence of dioecism in the Hawaiian flora. A simple explanation is advanced for resolving the apparent contradiction between the higher percentage of dioecism and the isolation in the Hawaiian flora.