Seed production and vegetative growth of Hedychium gardnerianum Ker-Gawler (Zingiberaceae) in São Miguel Island (Azores).

Cordeiro, Nuno; Silva, Luís

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/174

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Authors

Cordeiro, Nuno

Silva, Luís

Abstract(s)

Hedychium gardnerianum is an important plant invader in the Azores Archipelago. In this research we analysed fecundity, fertility, seed bank and vegetative growth of this herbaceous perennial at three sites at different altitudes in São Miguel Island. The mean number of spikes per hectare varied from 2.7 to 4.0x107. The mean numbers of fruits and seeds per hectare were 8.8x106 and 1.6x107, respectively. However, the number of seeds remaining in the soil was very low when compared to the same number at time of seed shed. Vegetative growth occurs by annual addition of one to four new corms to the rhizome. Each new corm usually originates new leaves, and eventually a spike. In general, older corms do not show leaves, working as storage organs. In H. gardnerianum a high seed production might be a key factor in dispersion, while vegetative growth allows a rapid establishment at new sites.