Australian Journal of Botany
Volume 73
Number 6 2025
Future ecosystems will be different. What rules govern ecosystem structures that can develop in a particular setting of physical geography and resource supply and disturbance regime? The future of ecology, both research and curriculum, lies in understanding those rules from first principles, so that humanity can make choices constructively. Image credit: Mark Westoby.
Wollemia nobilis has separate male and female cones on a single plant (monoecious). While most gymnosperms are dioecious, Wollemia nobilis has the possibility of self-fertilisation. Seed production of a single isolated tree was studied. While some cones produced no viable seeds, in some cones 10–20% of scales had seeds with a well-formed megagametophyte and embryo. This megagametophyte and embryo could germinate more rapidly than is usually reported for the species. Wollemia nobilis can produce viable, vigorous seeds through self-fertilisation. Photograph by Geoffrey E. Burrows.