MORPHO-ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON GEOPHILIC PLANTS. VEGETATIVE DISPERSAL OF GYNANDRIRIS SISYRINCHIUM L.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Structure and behaviour of the underground organs of Gynandriris sisyrinchium L. were studied in relation to the life cycle of these plants in their natural habitat. Normal depth of the corms was assessed on plants grown from seeds for several years. Mature specimens lose the ability to produce contractile roots and keep flowering at their original site, irrespective of the planting depth. Each young, non-flowering corm produces one axillary located reproduction bud in addition to the apical renewal bud. The following year, when the mother corm becomes depleted and shrivels, the reproduction bud fills up and forms a small cormlet which germinates one year later. The contractile root developing on it moves in a unique manner: initially horizontal, it turns downwards at a later date in a wide arc and becomes vertical. Consequently, the cormlets are withdrawn from their mother corms both horizontally and vertically. This enables the plants to survive in situ for many years.