Patterns of seed mass variation and their effects on seedling traits in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae)

Seed mass is considered to be the least plastic component of reproductive yield. Yet, in invasive populations of garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata, seed mass was highly variable (eightfold among populations, 2.5–7.5 fold within populations, two‐threefold within individuals, and 1.4–1.8 fold within fruits). Variation in seed mass among populations explained nearly half of the total variance. Variation among seeds within fruits accounted for a further 25% of variance. Individual seed mass within a plant decreased with increased distance from the main stem, suggesting that access to parental resources limits seed size in a predictable manner. MANOVAs and Roy‐Bargmann stepdown analyses revealed significant effects of seed mass, but not seed position (within a fruit or within an infructescence), on an array of subsequent seedling traits. Smaller seeds germinated significantly earlier, and seedlings from small seeds produced their first primary leaves significantly later and grew significantly taller. After accounting for seed mass as a covariate, only one seedling trait, date of first leaf emergence, was affected by seed position in a fruit. Differences in seed mass may therefore affect seedling recruitment via effects on early seedling growth in this weedy species.