Intermediate growth forms as a model for the study of plant clonality functioning: an example with root sprouters

Abstract.

In this contribution we want to show that growth forms intermediate between non-clonal and clonal plants can be used to ask questions about the functional ecology of clonality. We discuss this idea on plants sprouting adventitiously from roots and accomplishing clonal growth via root spacers. Based on extensive literature dealing with growth forms of root sprouting plants, we characterise forms functionally intermediate between clonal root-sprouters and non-clonal plants. We delimit them according to their potential ability to form adventitious shoots and horizontal roots. By reviewing experimental work with root sprouters, we identify the most important triggering factors and developmental constraints influencing these intermediate forms plant age, life-history mode and life-history stage. Using this information we ask questions about the importance of root sprouting in (1) conditions of unpredictable disturbance, where root-sprouting ability may be viewed as a tool for vegetative regeneration, and in (2) temporarily and spatially heterogeneous environment, where foraging by roots may serve as a way of exploiting patchy resources.