Phenology and demography of two species of Botrychium (Ophioglossaceae)

Abstract

Temporal and demographic aspects of the growth of Botrychium gallicomontanum and B. mormo were studied for 2 yr. A total of 219 B. gallicomontanum and 412 B. mormo plants were monitored in a prairie and maple-basswood forest, respectively. Growth events were divided into four stages: leaf emergence, leaf separation, spore release, and senescence. Botrychium gallicomontanum emerged in April, peaked during the first week of June, and declined rapidly. The largest plants were found in late June and early July with a mean peak trophophore size of 4.0 ± 1.8 cm. Botrychium mormo emerged in June, and the population size peaked in early July. The largest plants occurred late in August with a mean peak trophophore size of 3.0 ± 1.1 cm. The mean season span, or period of emergence aboveground annually, for B. gallicomontanum and B. mormo was 7.7 ± 2.4 and 11.9 ± 3.5 wk, respectively. Late-emerging plants produced spores in shorter periods. The separation stage was prolonged in B. gallicomontanum plants, whereas B. mormo plants had a much longer separation stage. Phenological differences are related to different habitat parameters of grassland and forest. Understanding the phenology of these rare species will help us more accurately predict the impact of management practices.

Evidence for newly discovered albino mutants in a pyroloid: implication for the nutritional mode in the genus Pyrola

“…In this study, we confirmed the fully mycoheterotrophic status of the population based on its morphology, white plant bodies, very low chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll concentrations, and the higher 13 C and 15 N abundances. Here we report, for the first time, the occurrence of albino mutants from partially mycoheterotrophic angiosperms outside the family Orchidaceae (Bruce and Beitel, ; Johnson‐Groh and Lee, ; Selosse et al., ; Lallemand et al., ). Our novel discovery will facilitate the progress of further studies focused on mycoheterotrophic evolution using albino mutants in not only Orchidaceae, but also now in Ericaceae.…”

A taxonomic and phylogeographic study of the Botrychium lunaria complex

“…The first leaves of the young sporophyte are smaller than the leaves of more mature plants and the amount of pinna cutting on both segments is often reduced . Normally the mature sporophyte produces one above-ground leaf a year during the late spring and early summer; occasionally the plant may remain dormant for one or more years (Johnson-Groh & Lee, 2002), with the leaves remaining dormant below ground as nested primordia (Mason & Farrar, 1989;. As the leaf emerges from the ground, the sporophore is clasped by the overarching trophophore.…”

Risks to biodiversity from hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus and Utica shales

“…Orchids are among the taxa most sensitive to habitat change in that many orchid species occur in small, isolated populations and depend on narrow ranges of soil moisture, organic matter, light, and nutrients; they also have complex obligate relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and pollinators . In addition, drying of air and soils near forest edges can degrade habitat for certain grape ferns ( Botrychium ) …”

“…60 In addition, drying of air and soils near forest edges can degrade habitat for certain grape ferns (Botrychium). 61 Pennsylvania forests serve as habitat reserves for many species. 46 Forest fragmentation and loss threaten populations of several breeding birds of conservation concern in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea), and summer tanager (Piranga rubra).…”