The Morphological Features and Biology of a Relict and Endangered Woody Plant Species: Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench (Ericaceae).

Anna Źróbek-Sokolnik,Mieczysława Aldona Fenyk,Piotr Dynowski

doi:10.3390/plants8050129

Anna Źróbek-Sokolnik, Mieczysława Aldona Fenyk + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8050129

Copy DOI

Abstract

Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench is a rare post-glacial relic, which reaches the south-western boundary of its European range in Poland. However, little is known about the morphology and biology of this species. In this study a biometric analysis of assimilating leaves and general morphological appearance was carried out; flowering, fruiting, and seed production in a natural site were described and the ability of seed germination was determined after varied seed storage time at 0–2, 2–4, 6–8, and 21–23 °C. A quite large intrapopulation variability was found as regards the features under analysis. The most varied features included the length of the petiole, followed by the leaf blade area, while the length to the width of the leaf blade was the least varied feature. C. calyculata flowered abundantly and about 50% developed flowers turned into fruits. On average there were 56 seeds per fruit with a predominance of mature seeds. The length of the seed storage time had a significant effect on all parameters of the germination process. The temperature at which the seeds were stored, apart from the time to maximum germination parameter, had a significant effect on other parameters of the germination process. Interactions between the seeds storage time and temperature factors were observed only for germination percentage, germination index, and germination index rate parameters. The ability of seeds to germinate, non-creation of the seed bank and other results of the research provide new information necessary for planning and carrying out conservation procedures (including active conservation in ex situ conditions).

Highlights

In Poland, rare and endangered plants account for about 15% of all vascular flora species [1]
A comparison of the variability of morphological features in the examined population with the features of the population described by Polakowski [5], Klimko et al [24], and Klimko and Szkudlarz [25] demonstrated that the examined population was characterized by the highest variability of the petiole length among all populations
The leaves of specimens growing at the newly discovered site were distinguished by the highest values of angles at the apex of the leaf blade and had the second largest

Summary

Introduction

In Poland, rare and endangered plants account for about 15% of all vascular flora species (considering native species and archeophytes) [1]. Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench (leatherleaf) is a wintergreen dwarf shrub of the Ericaceae family, growing in the boreal and subarctic zone of Europe, Asia, and North America. It can be found in highly moisturized communities of marshy coniferous forests and high moors of acid soils (pH below 5). In Poland, it is a rare post-glacial relic (currently growing at 10 sites and placed under full legal protection), which reaches here the south-western boundary of its European range and creates highly isolated Central European populations [2,3,4]. The majority of C. calyculata sites in Poland are located

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion