ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 2967
Poster No. = 1203


CLONAL GROWTH OF PEDICULARIS CANADENSIS AND ITS EFFECT ON PRAIRIE VEGETATION


Sunley, J. A.*, D. C. White, and J. E. Armstrong. Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4120, USA.


Pedicularis canadensis is a hemiparasite, a green, photosynthetic plant, but an obligate parasite that uses nearly all surrounding plants as hosts to obtain water and mineral nutrients. Pedicularis produces a phalanx of plantlets, reducing the height and density of prairie vegetation. However, maybe this low growing plant can only invade lower and sparser prairie areas. A natural experiment was conducted to determine if Pedicularis' invasion affects vegetation density and height, or whether the invasion is a consequence of prior sparseness. By obtaining mineral nutrients and water from neighboring hosts, and affecting their growth, Pedicularis may increase its gain via both photosynthesis and parasitism. This outcome is only predicted under conditions where mineral nutrients are limiting.


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