Abstract
This is a comparative study on plant performance and population characteristics among populations of Orchis simia (Orchidaceae) in both the south-eastern and north-western limits of its distribution area, viz. on Cyprus and in northern France and the southern part of the Netherlands. Differences in leaf area of the flowering plants between the areas is important for population fitness: a smaller leaf area may shorten the juvenile life stage. Morphological differences between rosette leaves from both regions can be considered as adaptations to the specific structures of the local vegetation. In the south-eastern population relatively more phytomass is allocated to the reproductive organs compared to the north-western populations. Since many species of high conservational value in north-western Europe originate from the Mediterranean area, results of comparative studies like the present one, will enable conservationists to develop appropriate measures for sustainable species preservation in the former region.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41-48 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Flora |
| Volume | 191 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Cyprus
- Morphological plasticity
- Northern France
- Orchis simia
- Population fitness
- The Netherlands