New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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The seed ecology of Ascarina lucida: a rare New Zealand tree adapted to disturbance

Timothy J. Martin
John Ogden

School of Environmental and Marine Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract   Ascarina lucida is rare in the North Island of New Zealand, occurring as small scattered populations. The seed ecology of this species was investigated by laboratory germination of fresh seed, and germination of samples from soil seed banks of two North Island populations. Seed collected from a submontane population had higher germinability (76%) than seed collected from a lowland population (32%). Seed collected from an isolated lowland garden tree had high germinability (82%). A. lucida seeds were abundant in both the surface and basal soil layers, and it was predicted that the species maintains a persistent seed bank for up to c. 8 years. A. lucida was the dominant component of the seed bank at the submontane site. The germination pattern of A. lucida was compared with other woody species in the seed bank and found to have similarities with species that often colonise disturbed sites. The maintenance of a persistent seed bank, coupled with the long period of time over which fresh seed germinates, gives this species flexibility in the timing of germination. Overall, the results indicate that the species is adapted to disturbed environments.

Keywords   Ascarina lucida; seed ecology; seed bank; Geniostoma rupestre; germination; germination delay

B02019 Received 1 March 2002; accepted 1 July 2002; published 11 September 2002
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2002, Vol. 40: 397-404
0028-825X/02/4003-0397 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2002

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