Extrinsic factors influence phenology of the epiphytic hand fern (Cheiroglossa palmata)

作者：Noland Katrina^*; Norman Eliane; Peterson Cheryl L; Richardson Matthew L

来源：Botany, 2017, 95(9): 889-895.

DOI：10.1139/cjb-2017-0071

• growth
• Ophioglossaceae
• Ophioglossum palmatum
• precipitation
• sporangial dehiscence
• temperature

We sought to answer the following questions about the epiphytic hand fern Cheiroglossa palmata (L.) C. Presl: (i) are the longevity and morphology of leaves influenced by field site and host tree; and (ii) are leaf mortality, emergence, growth, and sporangial dehiscence influenced by weather? We monitored survival, morphology, emergence, growth, and dehiscence for 27 months at wet and dry field sites. We tested for correlations between phenology and weather from 0-3, 4-6, and 7-9 months before a field survey. More morphological traits were influenced by the tree in which a fern grew than field site. However, leaves at the wet site had longer blades, sporangial clusters, and sporophore stalks, and lived longer. More leaves emerged when precipitation and temperatures were higher within the prior 3 months. Leaves grew longer when precipitation was higher within 0-6 months and minimum temperature was higher within 4-6 months. Dehiscence was positively correlated with the number of days of precipitation within 3 months. Emergence, growth, and dehiscence were negatively correlated with some measures of temperature and precipitation, especially higher precipitation within 7-9 months. Our results indicate an important, but complicated, impact of seasonal variation in temperatures and precipitation on the phenology of hand fern.

• 出版日期2017-9