Clones expand vegetatively through stolons, and this mechanism of vegetative reproduction is the principal way that colonies develop.
Stems usually live 6 or 7 years, and when a stem dies it is usually replaced by a new stem that grows from the base of the plant.
Thus, mature colonies often include some dead stems intermingled with numerous live stems.

Despite the regular production of mature fruit, virtually no seedlings of pondberry have been observed at any of the known sites.
The cause of this apparent lack of natural reproduction is not currently known, but the consequences are clear—it severely reduces the species' chance for long-term survival.
Sexual reproduction of pondberry is critical for long-range dispersal and genetic diversity.

Before modern flood control was imposed along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, historic floods may have been an important mechanism in fruit and/or seed dispersal over long distances or for creating suitable conditions for seedling establishment.
Although the fruit of pondberry sinks in water after a short time, the seed with the pulp removed will float for a day or sometimes longer.

Characteristics of pondberry's fruit—the showy color, fleshy pulp, and its persistent on stems—suggest that animals, particularly birds, may be important dispersal agents.
Of 82 bird species observed in the vicinity of pondberry thickets in fruit, only two species were observed to eat the fruit—hermit thrushes (Catharus guttatus) and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis).
Of these, the cardinals destroyed the seed by crushing and is thus considered a seed predator.
However, the hermit thrush swallows the whole fruit and later regurgitates the seed, indicating that it is an important seed disperser.
The foraging habits of the thrush suggests that most of the seeds would be dispersed with 100 m of existing female colonies.
Mammals may also be potential dispersers of pondberry seeds, including the raccoon (Procyon lotor) and opossum (Didelphis virginiana).
Historically, the black bear (Ursus americanus) may have been important to seed dispersal.

Seed germination does not appear to be a deterrent to seedling establishment.
Fairly high rates of germination have been reported under both controlled and field conditions.
Removal of the fruit's pulp and sowing seeds into the soil favor germination.
Under field conditions, germination of sown seeds has been observed to occur over a number of years suggesting some form of dormancy.

The artificial establishment of pondberry to new areas may be needed if the species is to recover.
Plants have been successfully transplanted from existing colonies to suitable locations.
The transplants seem to do well in some locations although survivorship and growth has been low in others.
Both transplants and seedlings do well under cultivation in a nursery setting, which has been used to provide planting stock for creating new colonies in field locations.
Clones expand vegetatively through stolons, and this mechanism of vegetative reproduction is the principal way that colonies develop. Stems usually live 6 or 7 years, and when a stem dies it is usually replaced by a new stem that grows from the base of the plant. Thus, mature colonies often include some dead stems intermingled with numerous live stems.
Despite the regular production of mature fruit, virtually no seedlings of pondberry have been observed at any of the known sites. The cause of this apparent lack of natural reproduction is not currently known, but the consequences are clear—it severely reduces the species' chance for long-term survival. Sexual reproduction of pondberry is critical for long-range dispersal and genetic diversity.
Before modern flood control was imposed along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, historic floods may have been an important mechanism in fruit and/or seed dispersal over long distances or for creating suitable conditions for seedling establishment. Although the fruit of pondberry sinks in water after a short time, the seed with the pulp removed will float for a day or sometimes longer.
Characteristics of pondberry's fruit—the showy color, fleshy pulp, and its persistent on stems—suggest that animals, particularly birds, may be important dispersal agents. Of 82 bird species observed in the vicinity of pondberry thickets in fruit, only two species were observed to eat the fruit—hermit thrushes (Catharus guttatus) and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Of these, the cardinals destroyed the seed by crushing and is thus considered a seed predator. However, the hermit thrush swallows the whole fruit and later regurgitates the seed, indicating that it is an important seed disperser. The foraging habits of the thrush suggests that most of the seeds would be dispersed with 100 m of existing female colonies. Mammals may also be potential dispersers of pondberry seeds, including the raccoon (Procyon lotor) and opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Historically, the black bear (Ursus americanus) may have been important to seed dispersal.
Seed germination does not appear to be a deterrent to seedling establishment. Fairly high rates of germination have been reported under both controlled and field conditions. Removal of the fruit's pulp and sowing seeds into the soil favor germination. Under field conditions, germination of sown seeds has been observed to occur over a number of years suggesting some form of dormancy.
The artificial establishment of pondberry to new areas may be needed if the species is to recover. Plants have been successfully transplanted from existing colonies to suitable locations. The transplants seem to do well in some locations although survivorship and growth has been low in others. Both transplants and seedlings do well under cultivation in a nursery setting, which has been used to provide planting stock for creating new colonies in field locations.
Lindera melissifolia