Aerial Seed Bank and Intra-population Variability in Germinative Strategies of Verbascum phlomoides L.

Abstract

Study of germination using fresh seeds and seeds from an aerial seed bank of a young Verbascum phlomoides population revealed the existence of primary dormancy that blocks immediate germination and of substantial variations in the subsequent germination capability. The heterogeneity of desynchronized individual responses in a species with a high germination capacity would make it possible for the descendants of one or more individuals to occupy a disturbed site. Exposure to cold followed by a return to the light accelerating germinative response would appear to enhance late spring germination.