The ability of seeds to float with water currents contributes to the invasion success of Impatiens balfourii and I. glandulifera.

ABSTRACT: Two alien species in Europe, Impatiens glandulifera and I. balfourii, are closely related, have similar growth rates and reproductive capacities, and are very attractive to pollinators. Nevertheless, only I. glandulifera is a highly invasive alien species in Europe, while I. balfourii is non-invasive. We assumed that the varying levels of invasiveness are driven by differences in the floating ability of their seeds, which may determine the invasion success of riparian alien plants, such as the Impatiens species. By mimicking two types of aquatic conditions, we determined seed floating ability for each species from younger and older populations. We also analyzed four seed traits: seed viability, surface, shape and coat structure. Seeds of the non-invasive I. balfourii float less well than s

SUBMITTER: Najberek K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7429548 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature