Germination behaviour of the seeds of the New Zealand speciesAristotelia serrata, Coprosma robusta, Cordyline australis, Myrtus obcordata, andSchefflera digitata

Abstract

Abstract Seeds from freshly collected fruit from two provenances each of Aristotelia serrata, Coprosma robusta, and Schefflera digitata and one each of Cordyline australis and Myrtus obcordata were tested in an unheated, partially shaded glasshouse in Christchurch, to discover germination rates, percentage germination success, and phenomena related to germination delay. The treatments were designed to simulate conditions that the seeds might experience after dispersal (normally after being consumed by birds). In the standard treatment (cleaned, moist, well-lit), from collections made in summer (Aristotelia) and autumn (the other four species), most of the seeds of each species germinated in late summer, or autumn — mid winter. A small proportion of Aristotelia and Cordyline seeds overwintered and germinated in the following spring. Overall success was high for all species (90–100%). Seeds of each species placed in the dark, or on soil, germinated at similar rates and with similar success but only for Cord...