Plasticity in the growth habit prolongs survival at no physiological cost in a monocarpic perennial at high altitudes.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Monocarpic plants are those that flower, produce seeds and then die. Although most monocarpic plants are annual or biennial, some of them are perennial. However, relatively little is known regarding the biology of monocarpic perennials. Pyrenean saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia) is a monocarpic perennial that is well adapted to high-mountain ecosystems. Here, we evaluated altitudinal changes in clonality in various populations growing in their natural habitat with particular emphasis on the physiological costs of clonal growth.

Methods

We assessed the percentage of clonal plants in nine populations growing in their natural habitat, as well as the plant stress response of clonal and non-clonal plants, in terms of photoprotection and accumulation of stress-r

SUBMITTER: Cotado A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7061168 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature