Predictions of fate from rosette size in teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.)

Size provides better predictions of plant fate than age in field populations of the biennial plant because a rosette forms a flowering stalk only after attaining a critical size.

Abstract

In field populations of the biennial plant (Dipsacus fullonum L.) the probability that an individual will die, remain vegetative, or flower during a particular growing season is highly correlated with the size of its vegetative rosette at the end of the growing season of the preceding year. Further, a rosette forms a flowering stalk only after attaining a critical size. Correlations of various plant fates with rosette size are independent of rosette age; hence size provides better predictions of plant fate than age.