The phenology of Namaqualand ephemeral species: the effect of sowing date

In all five species examined, seeds sown in autumn (April) produced the tallest plants. Later sowing resulted in early rapid stem elongation and the initiation of flowers/inflorescences in developmentally younger plants (fewer leaves on the main stem) and anthesis at a younger age. Plants from the e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of arid environments 1996, Vol.32 (4), p.407-420
Main Authors: Steyn, H.M., Van Rooyen, N., Van Rooyen, M.W., Theron, G.K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dimorphotheca sinuata
ephemeral plants
flowering date
foveolina albida
growth rate
heliophila seselifolia
Namaqualand
phenology
prediction
Senecio
senecio arenarius
sowing date
Ursinia
ursinia cakilefolia
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Summary:In all five species examined, seeds sown in autumn (April) produced the tallest plants. Later sowing resulted in early rapid stem elongation and the initiation of flowers/inflorescences in developmentally younger plants (fewer leaves on the main stem) and anthesis at a younger age. Plants from the early sowing produced more open inflorescences at peak flowering than those of later sowing dates. It is therefore concluded that early autumn rain results in the establishment of taller plants which take a longer time to reach anthesis and peak flowering, but at their peak these plants will produce more inflorescences and consequently a more spectacular show than plants that establish later in the season.
ISSN:0140-1963
1095-922X
DOI:10.1006/jare.1996.0034