Awn length variation and its effect on dispersal unit burial of Trachypogon spicatus (Poaceae) ; Efecto de la variación en longitud de la arista de la unidad dispersante de Trachypogon spicatus (Poaceae) en la profundidad de su entierro

Trachypogon spicatus, formerly known as Trachypogon plumosus, is a dominant grass in some savannas of Northern South America. Its dispersal unit, like many other species of the Andropogoneae tribe, bears a hygroscopic awn which facilitates its establishment in favorable microsites. Some authors have previously proposed that there is a positive correlation between awn length and dispersal unit burial, and that this relationship increases the probability of seed survival in the event of a fire, since soil acts as insulator. In this study we experimentally tested this relationship for T. spicatus... Mehr ...