Abstract Detail

Germinating Ideas - Lightning Talks

Johnson, Sara [1], Coons, Janice [2], Molano-Flores, Brenda [3].

Reproductive ecology of a rare Florida endemic mint, Macbridea alba.

Macbridea alba (Lamiaceae) is a federally threatened and state endangered perennial herbaceous mint.  It is endemic to grassy pine flat woods and occupies a range of conditions from wet savannas and sand hills, to disturbed roadsides. Results from previous studies point to: 1) low levels of genetic diversity, 2) need for pollinators such as Bombus spp to facilitate gene flow and fruit/seed production, 3) seed germination is high, 4) vivipary occurs, 5) seeds have limited long-term storage capacity and a lack of dormancy, and 6) flowering may decrease as time since fire increases.  However, two areas that have not been fully explored are the reproductive success (i.e., fruit set, seed set, and germination) and pre-dispersal seed predation across multiple populations and their role in the long-term persistence of Macbridea alba populations. In 2019, seven Macbridea alba populations within Apalachicola National Forest were visited to better understand the reproductive ecology of the species. At each site, infructescences were collected and fruit set, seed set, herbivory, and pre-dispersal seed predation were documented. Also, information about vivipary, i.e. premature germination of the seed within the calyx, was gathered. Lastly, collected seeds were used to assess seed germination. Our results are showing variation among populations for all the metrics that were measured.  Based on these findings, we can better understand the life history strategies and reproductive ecology of this rare plant for conservation both in-situ and ex-situ in the future.

1 - Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 S. Oak St, MC 652, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
2 - 305 Robin Lane, Minonk, IL, 61760, United States
3 - University Of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States

Keywords:
vivipary
conservation
rare species
endangered
Germination
reproductive ecology
mint.

Presentation Type: Germinating Ideas Lightning Talk
Session: LT1, Germinating Ideas - Lightning Talks I
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Friday, July 31st, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM
Number: LT1001
Abstract ID:100
Candidate for Awards:None