Comparison of light harvesting and resource allocation strategies between two rhizomatous herbaceous species inhabiting deciduous forests

摘要: Light conditions on the floor of deciduous forests are determined by leaf dynamics canopy trees and gap formation. Such spatiotemporal variations light availability should affect resource partitioning strategies understory herbs. Although rhizomatous species common in understory, relationships between rhizome structure, vegetative growth, sexual reproduction unclear terms carbon allocation. We compared photosynthetic characteristics translocation patterns under-canopy light-gap sites two summer-green perennial species: Cardamine leucantha with an annual long rhizome, Smilacina japonica a short system. Flowering both occurs early summer under decreasing availability. In light-gap, C. maintained high activity due to continuous production, resulting higher seed production than under-canopy. contrast, rate S. japonica, producing leaves simultaneously, decreased time irrespective conditions, stable sites. seasonally commonly restricts assimilation herbs, responses depend greatly belowground structure individual species.