Table 1.
Comparison of relative production, dispersal and germination of, and role of bracts in, dispersal units a, c and f of Ceratocarpus arenarius
| Life history trait | Dispersal units | Effect of bracts |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Number of dispersal units produced | f > c > a | –* |
| (B) Dispersal | ||
| Wind | ||
| Number of dispersal units c and f detached from plant | ||
| Stationary plant at 1 and at 4 m s−1 wind speed | f > c | –* |
| Rolling of whole plant for 1m and 3m | f > c | –* |
| Ratio of the numbers of dispersal units c and f remaining on the plant | ||
| Stationary plant at 1 m s−1 wind speed | 1:8 | –* |
| Stationary plant at 4 m s−1 wind speed | 1:5·7 | –* |
| Rolling of whole plant for 1m | 1:7 | –* |
| Rolling of whole plant for 3 m | 1:5·4 | –* |
| Fall rate | a > c > f | Without > with in all units |
| Dispersal distance | (f > c) > a | With > without in all units |
| Settlement onto soil surface | ||
| Mass of water uptake | a > (c > f) | With > without in all units |
| Dehydration time | a > (c > f) | With > without in all units |
| Number of times mass increased after adherence to soil or sand particles | a > (c > f) | With > without in all units |
| Animals | ||
| Mammal | f > c > a | –* |
| Ant | f > c > a | –* |
| (C) Germination/dormancy† | ||
| Germination | ||
| Dispersal units after-ripened for 0–12 months | f > c > a | –* |
| Fruits after-ripened for 0–12 months | f > c > a | Without > with in all units |
| Experimental garden | f > c > a | Without > with in all units |
| Retention of viability in experimental garden | a > c > f | With > without in all units |
All differences between dispersal units are significant except where between parentheses.
*Not tested.
†Dormancy inverse order of germination, i.e. a > c > f.