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Allelopathic effects and root distribution of Ceratiola ericoides (Empetraceae) on seven rosemary scrub species
Author(s) -
Hunter Molly E.,
Menges Eric S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.89.7.1113
Subject(s) - biology , germination , litter , botany , herbaceous plant , shrub , rosmarinus , allelopathy , officinalis , horticulture , ecology
We studied the root distribution and the effects of leachates from the dominant shrub in rosemary scrub, Florida rosemary ( Ceratiola ericoides ), on germination of seven subordinate rosemary scrub species. For rosemary scrub specialists, ( Eryngium cuneifolium and Hypericum cumulicola ), germination was suppressed by the leaf and litter leachates. For species that are not found exclusively in rosemary scrub ( Liatris ohlingerae , Polygonella basiramia , Paronychia chartacea , and Palofoxia feayi ) litter and leaf leachate did not suppress germination significantly. Species limited to gaps in rosemary scrub ( E. cuneifolium , H. cumulicola , and Lechea deckertii ) showed reduced germination from rosemary leachates while species not limited to rosemary‐free gaps ( L. ohlingerae and P. feayi ) were not affected by rosemary leachates. Rosemary root abundance was greatest near shrubs, at a shallow depth, and at sites not recently burned. As rosemary scrub patches age, rosemary roots are more likely to interact with herbaceous species in gaps.