The Lazarus Effect: Rejuvenation of Leaf-senescent Seedlings in a Rare Grassland Perennial

Abstract

Abstract Over 75% of the seedlings of the endemic sandplain grassland perennial, northern blazing star (Liatris scariosa var novae-angliae), die within their first growing season. During a study of the reproductive ecology of this rare plant, we found 17 seedlings whose leaves had become completely desiccated and brown and were classified as dead. Upon subsequent inspection, we discovered that these seedlings had developed a new shoot with green leaves. We have called this rejuvenation “the Lazarus effect.” These seedlings became dormant by late June, which coincided with extended periods of drought, and were senescent for periods of 4–10+ wk. Rejuvenation of leaf-senescent seedlings occurred in late July and August, coincident with periods of increased precipitation. Survivorship of “Lazarus” seedlings to their second summer (9 of 17, 53%) was similar to survivorship of “normal” seedlings (≈58%) which did not senesce. Thus, becoming senescent did not have undue costs to survivorship.