Biology of the Flowers, Fruits and Young Regeneration of Olinia Cymosa Thunb: ('Hard Pear')

Reference to the literature regarding the South African forest tree Olinia cymosa Thunb. (" Hard Pear ") reveals that almost the whole of our knowledge concerning it has been confined to systematic descriptions. The aim of the studies described in this paper has been to collect information respecting the nature and life history of flowers, fruits, and first regeneration stages of this important species. 0. cymosa not only plays an important part in forest succession in the Knysna forest region, but also produces a most excellent timber for constructional purposes. Propagation of the species in sylvicultural practice is clearly desirable, but this has been rendered practically impossible on account of the lack of basic data concerning the biology of its flowers, fruits, and regeneration.