Southern Research Station

Title: Life cycles and biomass allocation in seed- and ramet-derived plants of Cryptotaenia canadensis (Apicea), a monocarpic species of eastern North America

Author: Hawkins, Tracy S.; Baskin, Jerry M.; Baskin, Carol C.

Date: 2005

Source: Can. J. Bot., Vol. 82: 518-528

Description: Life cycles, survivorship, and biomass allocation for seed- and ramet-derived plants of Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. were studied to determine if variation existed between plant derivations, and how these attributes contribute to persistence of the species within a temperate forest habitat. Seed-derived plants behaved as biennials, reproducing both sexually and asexually in the second growing season. Ramet-derived plants reproduced sexually and asexually annually. Annual survivorship was greater for seed-derived juveniles; however, fewer seed-derived plants flowered than did ramet-derived plants. Biomass allocation for plants harvested at four growth stages over two complete life cycles was significantly different between plant derivations during vegetative growth stages. During reproductive growth stages, biomass allocation did not differ between ramet- and seed-derived plants harvested in the same year. Regressions showed a strong correlation between sexual reproductive mass and vegetative mass for both plant derivations, with no significant difference between slopes or intercepts. Ramet mass was less dependent on plant size, and differences between slopes and intercepts were not significant. Regressions of sexual versus asexual reproductive mass varied with year and cohort. Equivalent reproductive output in conjunction with temporal differences in life cycle phenologies between plantderivations optimize this speciesÂ’ ability to persist in its natural habitat.

Keywords: allometry, apiaceae, biomass allocation, Cryptotaenia canadensis, monocarpic

View and Print this Publication (372 KB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Hawkins, Tracy S.; Baskin, Jerry M.; Baskin, Carol C.  2005.  Life cycles and biomass allocation in seed- and ramet-derived plants of Cryptotaenia canadensis (Apicea), a monocarpic species of eastern North America.   Can. J. Bot., Vol. 82: 518-528