Seed survival and seasonal emergence of seedlings of some ruderal plants.
Abstract
Seeds from 11 ruderal spp. collected from localities in S. Warwickshire were stored outdoors in cylinders sunk in the ground, and seed viability was tested over 5 yr. Cynoglossum officinale and Plantago lanceolata emerged during the 1st spring, and showed little persistence beyond that time. Seedlings of other spp. emerging in successive yr declined more gradually; seed viability after 5 yr ranged from 0.6% (Geranium pusillum) to 8.9% (Plantago major). There were consistent seasonal patterns of seedling emergence for many of the spp.