The phenology of Angelica palustris seeds including maturation, germination requirements, and dormancy class, is still unknown. In opposite to the results reported from other species of Angelica, present findings showed that A. palustris produced seeds with embryo underdeveloped (the ratio between the embryo and the whole seed length was between 0.19 and 0.12) and physiologically dormant which corresponded to Morphophysiological Dormancy class. Dormancy breakdown requires a post maturation period (at least 30 days) at 18 - 20ºC for a complete embryo development, and also up to 30 days of cold stratification at 4°C. The best germination indices were obtained when fruit was removed. Germination energy (Ge) was achieved within 19 days after imbibition and was 25.8 + 0.03 and germination per cent (Gp) was achieved within 28 days and was 64.7 + 0.14. Fruit structure (lateral wings with air cavities) and physiology (essential oil production) are adaptations to facilitate seed dispersal and dormancy/germination balance.
Adaptative traits enable organisms to survive and reproduce. Though these traits are often innate features (ones that may or may not exhibit variability in response to environmental cues or originate from horizontal gene transfer), this is not always the case. Many species endure natural selection not with the traits they possess intrinsically but with exogenous substances and abilities that they acquire from other species, via ecological interactions akin to outsourcing, pillaging, and fraud. Here, I review the mechanisms of this exogenous trait acquisition and highlight some of their repercussions and usefulness for natural resource management, industry, and human health.
COMMUNITY STUDIES ON THE STATUS OF THE ENDANGERED PLANT, BERCHEMIELLA WILSONII VAR. PUBIPETIOLATA, USING INTERSPECIFIC ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS
