Natalität und Mortalität bei Limonium Vulgare

Abstract

Population dynamics of Limonium vulgare. — The life history of Limonium vulgare has been investigated at the level of genets, modules and leaves. The subterranean organs have a life span of several decades and yearly increments can be recognized from the pattern of leaf and inflorescence scars along the rhizome axes. It was thus possible to reconstruct the entire life history and growth of genets from an analysis of their rhizome systems. The development of new modules nearly exclusively took place when the apical meristem was consumed for the production of the terminal inflorescence. Predominantly two new modules were produced but rarely more than one survived the first year. The application of concepts of tree architecture to the tree-like vertical rhizome system was examined, but significant differences between herbaceous plants and trees were found. Additional investigations on the annual course of leaf production and mortality revealed that rosettes which produce inflorescences have more and larger leaves. Leaf production ceases in flowering modules, but continues in vegetative ones. The relatively small leaves of new rosettes were developed when the leaf area of older rosettes was declining, thereby sustaining a high level of whole-plant photosynthesis.