Seed dispersal and germination of Lilium concolor var. megalanthum (Liliaceae) in wetland of Northeast China

Abstract

Some wetland plants can regenerate and expand their populations through sexual reproduction (seeds). Lilium concolor var. megalanthum is the only Lilium species known to occur in wetlands in Northeast China at present, its seed dispersal pattern and germination strategy reflects its adaptation to the wetland environment. In this paper, the adaptation mechanism of L. concolor var. megalanthum to wetland environments was explored by investigating its seed dispersal pattern and germination characteristics in different habitats. The results showed that the capsule and seed structure of L. concolor var. megalanthum is conducive to wind dispersal. The number of cumulative seed dispersed increased with the increase of wind speed. The seed dispersal of L. concolor var. megalanthum through wind can improve the dispersal efficiency of the plant propagule to a certain extent, and it may also be an adaptive strategy of increasing the genetic diversity of population. The flowing water in the wetland helps to disperse the seeds of L. concolor var. megalanthum to a certain extent. The germination performance of seeds was greatest inside the hummock of Carex schmidtii, followed by the germination performance on the surface of exposed soil layer after the seeds were dispersed around L. concolor var. megalanthum. We found that water quality conditions affect the seed germination performance of L. concolor var. megalanthum, and it was the best in clean water, while the seed germination was significantly inhibited when the seeds were dropped into sewage.