Erythronium: Comparative Phenology of Alpine and Deciduous Forest Species in Relation to Environment

Notre Dame

1969

543-558

1 Abb., 6 Tab., 34 Lit. Ang.

Bandaufführung

137656

The alpine Erythronium grandiflorum of the Rocky Mountains and E. umbilicatum of the North Carolina deciduous forest both experience very short growing seasons which are similar in many respects. The temperature regimes of the deciduous forest floor in the early spring and of the alpine snowbank border in midsummer were found to be similar, although the average temperature in the West was higher with fewer diurnal fluctuations. However, solar radiation was considerably higher in the West. Soils were strikingly similar in both textural and chemical properties. Both species grew during the periods of highest insolation in their respective environments. However, both species were able to grow at very low temperatures. However, both species were able to grow at very low temperatures. The general phenological responses were found to be well correlated with air temperature near the ground. The temperature control of growth initiations and the total degree-hours required for development were similar for both species. Neither species exhibited measureable water stress during its growing season.