Iteroparous Reproduction
In business, polycarpic/iteroparous strategy means reproducing continuously while the parent survives - multiple offspring over time.
Trees are polycarpic because adult trees have very high survival (98%+ probability of surviving to next year). It makes sense to reproduce repeatedly rather than sacrifice the parent.
Iteroparous reproduction (from Latin itero = repeat) is a reproductive strategy where organisms flower repeatedly, year after year, balancing growth and reproduction. Oak trees grow for 20-40 years before producing their first acorns, then produce 2,000-10,000 acorns per year for 200+ years. Total lifetime output: 500,000-2,000,000 acorns - far more than a single massive reproductive event could produce. The transition from juvenile (pre-reproductive) to adult (reproductive) phase is irreversible but doesn't end growth - it changes resource allocation: 60-70% to maintenance and continued growth, 30-40% to reproduction.
Business Application of Iteroparous Reproduction
In business, polycarpic/iteroparous strategy means reproducing continuously while the parent survives - multiple offspring over time. This is optimal when the parent company has strong moats in a stable industry, can project 20-30 years of continued profits, and the goal is perpetual mission funding rather than single exit.