Abstract
The two early successional shrubs (Melastoma malabathricum L. andMussenda frondosa L.) are periodic growth leaf-exchanging-types (leaf fall is associated with bud break; leaf span of leaves being approximately 12 months), whereas the two late successional ones (Litsaea khasiana Meissn andOxyspora vagans Wall.) are periodic growth evergreen types (leaf fall is completed well after bud break; life span of leaves being a little over one year). Early successional shrubs have larger leaf production and faster turn-over rates, unlike late successional shrubs with production confined during the early part of the growing season (April–May) is geared to expose larger area over a longer time period, for survival under shade. The early successional shrubs have an exploitative strategy whereas the late successionals are conservative in nature for survival under shade.
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Baruah, U., Ramakrishnan, P.S. Leaf dynamics of early versus late successional shrubs of sub-tropical moist forests of north-eastern India. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 99, 431–436 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053611