Variability in floral traits and reproductive success among and within populations of Berberis microphylla G. Forst., an underutilized fruit species

Berberis microphylla G. Forst. (calafate) is an evergreen and spiny shrub considered as a non-timber patagonian forest product, that is relevant for diversification of agrifood production, particularly interesting since its black–blue fruits are rich in phenolic compounds. The objective of this research is to analyze the variability in floral traits and reproductive success of Berberis microphylla G. Forst. among and within three populations of Tierra del Fuego along three growing seasons. The presence of variability in some floral traits as well as in the reproductive success of B. microphylla among and within three Tierra del Fuego populations was observed, in agreement with the environmental conditions i.e. mean daily temperatures and accumulated rainfall for the three populations and the three growing seasons. Flower dry weight and gynoecium area are good indicators of flower quality (i.e. ovule number), with positive and significant correlations between them (flower dry weight with gynoecium area, r = 0.551; p=