The differential establishment of seedlings from chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers in natural populations of the grass Danthonia spicata (L.) Beauv.

Abstract

The grass Danthonia spicata produces dimorphic seeds from chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers. The seed remains attached to seedlings so one can identify the reproductive origin of seedlings. The proportion of chasmogamous and cleistogamous seedlings becoming established varies widely between populations. The types of seedlings becoming established was generally consistent from year to year and correlated with the proportion of flower types produced. Mown populations showed especially high levels of cleistogamous seedling establishment. Germination and seedling survival were experimentally investigated. Chasmogamous and cleistogamous seeds had different germination behaviors. Cleistogamous seedlings had higher survival rates than chasmogamous seedlings.