Data on Pattern within Plant Communities: II. Ammophila Arenaria (L.) Link

Abstract

Ammophila arenaria shows two scales of pattern: (1) at 20-40 cm, resulting from tillering from vertical rhizomes; (2) at 80-160 cm, (tussock pattern) arising either from stimulation of adjacent nodes on horizontal rhizomes at the earliest stage of colonization or from environmental control of seedling establishment. Environmentally determined tussock pattern is maintained through later stages by growth of vertical rhizomes. Further seedling establishment on older dunes reinforces the existing pattern. Maximum inflorescence production occurs earlier in succession than maximum shoot production. The probability of a shoot producing an inflorescence is lower in the high density phase of tussock pattern.