The presence of diverse and species-rich plant lineages on oceanic islands is most often
associated with adaptive radiation. Here we discuss the possible adaptive significance of
some of the most prominent traits in island plants, including woodiness, monocarpy and
sexual dimorphisms. Indirect evidence that such traits have been acquired through
convergent evolution on islands comes from molecular phylogenies; however, direct
evidence of their selective value rarely is obtained. The importance of hybridization in the …