Distribution, Species Morphology, Phenotypic Variability and Phenology of Epilobium hirsutum L.: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract

The species is distributed along an altitudinal range of 1500–2700m asl. Significant variability in phenotypic traits was observed within and across different populations. A considerable trend of decreasing phenotypic characteristics was observed with decrease in altitudinal gradient. The plants in transplanted site (KUBG) diverge in various traits and timing of phenophases from other three natural populations through Chadoora, Shopian and Shalimar. The plant height decreases with decrease in altitude and was observed maximum at Shopian population. There are noticeable shifts in various phenophases of the plant species in natural populations as well as in transplanted populations. Under transplant conditions the total life span was considerably of a longer duration as compared to the life span of natural habitat populations. Transplanted population (KUBG population) found to have longer duration of aerial shoot or life span (as compared to high altitude populations. Higher asynchrony in anthesis was observed from plant to plant in a population and across populations growing in varying habitats. The plants at transplanted site (KUBG) site sprout prior than the high altitudinal population Shopian.

Keywords: Epilobium hirsutum, phenology, phenotypic variability, altitude

Cite this Article

Asma Ashraf, Afrozah Hassan, Irshad A. Nawchoo, Sumeera Nazir, Fayaz Ahmad Lone. Distribution, Species Morphology, Phenotypic Variability and Phenology of Epilobium hirsutum L.: A Comparative Study. Research & Reviews: Journal of Ecology. 2017; 6(2): 10–19p.