| dc.description.abstract | The rhizome of Clintonia borealis tAit.) Raf, was shown to
store large quantities of total nonstructural carbohydrates up until
fall dormancy and to draw upon these reserves during the spring growth
period, however the level of decline and rate of decline are not necessarily
the same from year to year. Older rhizome segments participate
in TNG storage, demonstrating high levels in the fall and low levels
in the spring. In addition, roots are also capable of storing TNG and
probably provide an important secondary reserve.
For a typical population in Northwestern Ontario, 3-leaved
specimens were the most important members since they provided the
greatest contribution towards the total population as well as the most
flowering individuals. Plants with high leaf numbers produced the most
rhizomes and were the ones most likely to be fertile. Population
makeup, with respect to the number of plants in each leaf number category
and the percentage of individuals in flower remains relatively constant
from year to year for populations growing in a stable environment.
Leaf number is determined in the fall by the number of preformed
leaves present in the rhizome bud. Leaves which do not reach
this level of development, i.e., primordial leaves, abort the following
spring. Similarly an inflorescence in the bud must have matured enough
to possess a well developed stipe before the onset of dormancy, otherwise
it too will abort in the spring.
Plants growing in open sites are most likely to be fertile.
This phenomenon may be related to TNC storage since plants growing in
the open are probably the most active photosynthetically and in turn
producing the most TNC. A minimum or threshold level of TNC for
inflorescence production in C. borealis is suggested.
Insect mediated cross pollination is the principal pollination
mechanism in Clintonia borealis; however, the species still
possesses a capacity for self pollination.
A distinct correlation exists between berry volume and the
number of mature seeds contained. This is interpreted as a reproductive
strategy allowing maximum seed dispersal by animal vectors since the
most attractive fruit contain the greatest number of seeds. | |
