Fenología de Valeriana prionophylla (Valerianaceae) en páramos de Costa Rica

Abstract

Valeriana prionophylla (Valerianaceae) phenology in Costa Rican paramo. Valeriana prionophylla (Valerianaceae) is a medicinal plant used primarily to treat nervous disorders and respiratory problems. In Costa Rica it is found at 2 800-3 700 meters over sea level in Central Pacific Conservation Area and “Amistad Pacifica” Conservation Areas as well. Due to its medicinal importance, there has been various analysis done regarding its phenological aspects in wild populations. Two plots of 88m2 were observed, and from December 2010 to September 2012 the phenological elements associated with their growth and spread were studied monthly. It was found that between May and September an asynchronous phenological behavior took place between plants and phenophases: floral tube, flower bud, unfertilized flowers, fertilized flowers and seeds. Exist a positive relation between precipitation and unfertilized flower (p=0.657) and fertilized flower (p=0.641). The appearance of the first phenological stage, the floral tube, matches with the beginning of the rainy season in the area. Only has one phenological period during the year.

Biología y ecología de cuatro especies medicinales de Gentianella recolectadas para el mercado en la Región Cajamarca, Perú

“…A excepción de G. graminea (la cual florece y fructifica todo el año), las tres especies restantes sincronizan sus fases fenológicas con las temporadas de estiaje y de lluvias; de modo que la floración y fructificación ocurren en los meses de estiaje y con bajas temperaturas. Este comportamiento es diferente al de otras especies medicinales de Jalca o Páramo, como Valeriana prionophylla (Contreras et Méndez-Estrada, 2014) y Valeriana pilosa (Seminario-Cunya et al, 2016), en las cuales la floración y fructificación suceden en los meses de mayor precipitación y temperatura (independientemente de la latitud). Las cuatro especies de Gentianella analizadas mostraron bajos valores de regeneración natural mediante semillas (1-4 plántulas/m 2 ), en comparación a Valeriana pilosa, especie del mismo hábitat, en la cual, se encontró hasta 1124,8 plántulas/m 2 (Seminario-Cunya et al, 2016).…”

High levels of phenological asynchrony between specialized pollinators and plants with short flowering phases

“…The low temperatures together with strong daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity cause harsh conditions for most organisms, being challenged by frost, water deficits, and droughts. Seasonality in temperature and precipitation are thought to be the main drivers of flowering phenology in the páramo (Contreras Arias and Méndez‐Estrada 2014). In the three study sites, we collected data on species phenology and abundance, and plant–pollinator interactions.…”