Dioecious plants constitute 7% of all angiosperm species, yet they occur in many habitat types, partially through the deployment of sexual dimorphisms that assist in reproduction. In the present work, the dioecious monocot Lomandra leucocephala ssp. robusta (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae) was studied to understand how sexual dimorphisms can assist species conservation and inform us of a species’ potential significance in an ecosystem. Floral display was sexually dimorphic, as male inflorescences were displayed more prominently and more conspicuously in UV range. Male nectar analysed by thin-layer chromatography contained a higher glucose content than female nectar. However, both sexes contained hexose-rich nectar, a common indicator of generalist pollination, which was supported by observations of floral visitors. Floral extract comparison conducted via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that male extracts contained more compounds that potentially convey greater resistance to biotic and abiotic threats. Chemical comparison of leaves by high performance liquid chromatography with peak area ratio analysis revealed this technique could be used as a tool for gender identification of individuals during non-flowering periods. Due to the generalist pollination mechanisms of L. leucocephala ssp. robusta, may have an important role in the conservation and support of local insect populations. The presence of chemical biotic and abiotic resistance may also make L. leucocephala ssp. robusta a significant contributor to the ongoing stabilisation of the sand dunes. Conservation efforts required for L. leucocephala ssp. robusta are likely to be minimal, as pollination services are provided by a diversity of pollinating taxa, including introduced species, which will be abundant regardless of variable flowering periods. Further observational study of L. leucocephala ssp. robusta pollinators and differences in pollinator visitation behaviours between sexes is recommended to better understand efficient pollination for the species, and potentially reveal a greater extent of ecosystem benefit for this species.

中文翻译：

---

雌雄异株的单子叶植物 Lomandra leucocephala ssp 的性二态性。罗布斯塔及其潜在的生态系统和保护意义

雌雄异株植物占所有被子植物物种的 7%，但它们出现在许多栖息地类型中，部分是通过部署有助于繁殖的两性异形。在目前的工作中，雌雄异株的单子叶植物 Lomandra leucocephala ssp。罗布斯塔 (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideaae) 被研究以了解性别二态性如何帮助物种保护并告知我们物种在生态系统中的潜在意义。花卉展示是两性异形的，因为雄性花序在紫外线范围内显示得更突出、更显眼。通过薄层色谱分析的雄性花蜜比雌性花蜜含有更高的葡萄糖含量。然而，两性都含有富含己糖的花蜜，这是一种普遍授粉的常见指标，这得到了对花卉访客的观察的支持。通过气相色谱-质谱法进行的花提取物比较表明，雄性提取物含有更多的化合物，这些化合物可能对生物和非生物威胁具有更大的抵抗力。通过高效液相色谱与峰面积比分析对叶子进行化学比较表明，该技术可用作非开花期个体性别识别的工具。由于 L. leucocephala ssp 的通才授粉机制。罗布斯塔可能在保护和支持当地昆虫种群方面发挥重要作用。化学生物和非生物抗性的存在也​​可能使 L. leucocephala ssp。罗布斯塔是沙丘持续稳定的重要贡献者。L. leucocephala ssp 所需的保护工作。罗布斯塔可能是最小的，因为授粉服务是由多种授粉类群提供的，包括引入的物种，无论花期如何变化，这些物种都将是丰富的。L. leucocephala ssp 的进一步观察研究。推荐罗布斯塔传粉者和两性之间传粉者访问行为的差异，以更好地了解该物种的有效授粉，并可能揭示该物种更大程度的生态系统效益。