Flowering phenology in natural populations of Iris pumila

Abstract

In the present study, I examined flowering phenology of dwarf bearded ins, Iris pumila, using naturally occurring clones (three sites, four microsites) and clones transplanted between two sites representing two habitats Naturally occurring clones in contrasting habitats and microsites differed significantly in phenology, with exposition of the site or microsite being the most important Genotypes from more exposed habitats flowered earlier in both habitats and these differences were statistically significant Patterns of between‐habitat and between‐population differences were stable over years even though years differed markedly in the flowering onset Within‐population genetic variability for flowering phenology was also found to be significant Although clones with dark‐colored flowers tended to flower earlier in all habitats and microsites I failed to detect statistically significant differences in flowering time among color morphs Flowering phenology in I pumila is highly susceptible to environmental variability, but this factor has not prevented population divergence in flowering time Between‐habitat differences in flowering time turned out to be a result of both phenotypic plasticity of individuals and genetic differentiation of populations