Presence and development of lignotubers in shrubs of the Chilean matorral

Abstract

The development of lignotubers was analyzed in seedlings of representative shrub species of the matorral in central Chile. The lignotuber is evident 3 months after germination in Cryptocarya alba and 4–5 months after germination in Colliguaya odorifera, Satureja gilliesii, and Lithraea caustica. Top removal in adult specimens soon produced formation of shoots as a result of the activation of the root-crown buds. The leaf area growth rates of shoots arising from lignotubers are significantly higher than those of seedlings and normally growing shrubs. The adaptive significance of lignotubers in matorral shrubs is discussed.