Dwarf mistletoe seed dispersal and germination in southwestern Alberta

Abstract

In 1966, numbers of seeds of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobiumamericanum Nutt. ex Engelm.) dispersed from two transplanted lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) decreased logarithmically with increasing distance from the trees. In two study areas in 1967–1969. dispersal of seeds from individual plants began in late August and was completed in 2–3 weeks. Differences of up to 2 weeks in the beginning and duration of dispersal were apparent between the areas. On one occasion, a difference in seed dispersal was noted between plants originating from seed collected at the two study areas and growing on a single tree at another location. Seed germination began in middle to late April, and in 4–6 weeks, 10–50% of the seeds had germinated.