Effect of Temperature on the Seed Germination of Garden Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris L.)

Garden loosesrtife (Lysimachia vulgaris L.) is a highly invasive wetland plant species that is rapidly spreading in parts of western Washington. It is known to spread asexually through rhizomes, but the contribution of seed reproduction is largely unknown. We investigated seed germination under diff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural areas journal 2014-04, Vol.34 (2), p.212-215
Main Authors: Dillon, Kevin, Reichard, Sarah Hayden
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asexual reproduction
Botanical gardens
Dormancy
garden loosestrife
germination
invasive
Invasive species
Lysimachia vulgaris
Noxious weeds
Plants
RESEARCH NOTE
RESEARCH NOTES
Seasons
Seed dormancy
Seed germination
Seeds
wetland
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Summary:Garden loosesrtife (Lysimachia vulgaris L.) is a highly invasive wetland plant species that is rapidly spreading in parts of western Washington. It is known to spread asexually through rhizomes, but the contribution of seed reproduction is largely unknown. We investigated seed germination under different temperature treatments, finding a strong effect. Seeds sown under summer conditions were able to germinate at high rates immediately. Seeds sown in spring/fall and winter conditions had low germination until moved into summer temperatures, when they germinated quickly at high rates. This facultative dormancy allows seeds to overwinter if germination conditions are not appropriate in the autumn, at the time of seed maturation. We suggest seed production should be eliminated to prevent further spread of the species.
ISSN:0885-8608
2162-4399
DOI:10.3375/043.034.0210