New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract
Survival and growth responses of native and introduced vines in New Zealand to
light availability
REMCO BAARS
DAVE KELLY
Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800, Christchurch
Abstract Clematis vitalba, Lonicera japonica,
and Passiflora mollissima are three introduced vine species which have
become naturalised in New Zealand. Their light requirements and growth rates
were compared with those of two common native vine species (Muehlenbeckia
australis and Parsonsia heterophylla) by growing plants under
irradiance levels corresponding to 40%, 7%, 3.5%, and 2% of available sunlight
(expressed as relative irradiance (% RI)). Weedy vines are characterised by a
high degree of shade tolerance and a rapid growth rate in high-light
environments. Clematis vitalba and Lonicera japonica have their
light compensation points at 1.0% RI and 0.9% RI, respectively, and both
species show high maximum growth rates. The native vine Parsonsia
heterophylla has the lowest light compensation point (<1% RI), but also
possesses the lowest overall growth rates. Passiflora mollissima and the
native Muehlenbeckia australis have higher light compensation points (2%
and 1.8% RI, respectively) and the growth responses shown by these two species
in the experiment indicate that their potential for rapid growth will only be
realised in high-light environments.
Keywords Clematis vitalba; exotic; light compensation
point; Lonicera japonica; Muehlenbeckia australis; naturalised
plants; Parsonsia heterophylla; Passiflora mollissima; vines;
weeds
B95042
Received 5 October 1995; accepted 4 March 1996
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (721K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
This year's abstracts |Journal home page |All abstracts | Publishing home page
