Floral biology of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp):: A high value multipurpose plant of high altitude regions of cold arid India

Flowers of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.) were unisexual, minute, yellowish brown to yellowish green in colour, produced in large numbers. Inflorescence was solitary or sometimes in racemes. Length and width of male flower were 3.04 +/- 0.21 and 2.61 +/- 0.08 respectively. Length and width of female flower were 3.85 +/- 0.34 and 1.31 +/- 0.02 respectively. Growth pattern of length and width in male flower is almost parallel but in female flower length increases exponentially during later growth period. Male flower blossoms one week before female flowers. Best pollination time was during last week of May. Flowers arise before the emergence of leaves i.e. reproductive organs borne before vegetative organs to complete the life cycle within an available limited period. Floral diagram and floral formulae were described on the basis of morphology and anatomy of flower.