New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Genotypic variation of the flowering phenology of Cordyline
australis (Laxmanniaceae) grown at three locations in New Zealand
Warwick Harris*
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
harrisw@landcareresearch.co.nz
Ross E. Beever
Stephanie Parkes
Landcare Research
Private Bag 92710
Auckland, New Zealand
Bruce Smallfield
Ruth-Anne Anderson
New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Limited
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand
Sue Scheele
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
*Present address: Lincoln Botanical, 16
Aylmers Valley Road, Akaroa, New Zealand.
Abstract Progeny of 28 wild populations of Cordyline
australis (cabbage tree, ti kouka) from a 12° latitudinal range
in New Zealand grown under uniform garden conditions at Mt Albert,
Auckland (36°53´S, 174°43´E), Lincoln, Canterbury
(43°38´S, 172°29´E), and Invermay, Otago
(45°51´S, 170°23´E), differed in the number of
years they took to flower for the first time (years to first flowering,
YFF) and in the date their flowers first opened each season (first
flowering date, FFD). At Auckland population YFF was unrelated to
latitude of origin, but at Lincoln and, especially, Invermay, there was
a well-defined increase in YFF the further north the latitude of origin
of populations. FFDs were delayed progressively from Auckland to
Invermay and showed a well-defined pattern of being earlier for
southern populations and a weaker trend for earlier flowering with
increased altitude of origin. In 2002 and 2003 population FFDs extended
over 16–19 weeks at Auckland and narrowed to 2–4 weeks at Invermay.
Environmental factors determining floral competence and initiation are
considered together with selection pressures that underlie the
genotypic variation of flowering phenology of C. australis.
Applications of the results to the principle of using locally sourced
plants for restoring native vegetation and for the purpose of
monitoring the ecological consequences of climate change are discussed.
Keywords Cordyline australis; C.
indivisa; C. banksii; flowering maturity; flowering date;
genotype × environment interaction; ecotypic adaptation; climate
change; New Zealand
B05040; Received 7 September 2005; accepted 9 December 2005; Online
publication date 23 February 2006
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2006, Vol. 44: 23–39
0028–825X/06/4401–0023 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2006
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