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Reproductive phenological pattern of Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae), an invasive species in Brazil: annual in native areas; continuous in invaded areas of caatinga
oleh: Mellissa Sousa Sobrinho, George Machado Tabatinga, Isabel Cristina Machado, Ariadna Valentina Lopes
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | Sociedade Botânica do Brasil 2013-06-01 |
Deskripsi
In this study, we evaluated the phenological patterns (vegetative and reproductive) of Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) in Brazil, comparing its phenology in an area where it is invasive with that observed in areas to which it is native. Phenological observations were carried out over a 24-month period at sites in and around areas of caatinga (shrublands). We estimated the relative frequency of each phenophase, and we documented a dramatic difference between phenophases in terms of the pattern of reproductive phenology . The pattern of continuous flowering and fruiting observed in the invaded area strongly diverges from the 2- to 6-month flowering and fruiting period of the annual pattern. The continuous pattern of reproduction seems to have facilitated the invasion of the Brazilian caatinga by C. procera.