Open Access

ARTICLE

Characterization of associated environments to natural populations of Pavonia cymbalaria (Malvaceae) in rangelands of Sierra de la Ventana (Buenos Aires)

by Torres , YA, MA Long, SM Zalba

1 GEKKO. Grupo de Estudios en Conservación y Manejo. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Universidad Nacional del Sur. San Juan 670 (8000). Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Address Correspondence to: yatorres@criba.edu.ar.
2 Laboratorio de Plantas Vasculares. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Universidad Nacional del Sur. San Juan 670 (8000). Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2008, 77(all), 225-240. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2008.77.225

Abstract

The objective of this work is to contribute to the biology of Pavonia cymbalaria A. St. Hil & Naudin (Malvaceae), a native species of the Southern mountains of Buenos Aires Province. This knowledge will contribute to (1) promote its use as an ornamental species, (2) its conservation and (3) stimulate the interest and public valuation of mountain systems biodiversity. Seven populations of P. cymbalaria were selected. Two of them were growing under Pinus halepensis forests to characterize different environments were the herbaceous species is growing in the wild. Environmental characteristics immediately associated to six individuals of the species were studied on each population. Sixteen environmental parameters and two indexes, which estimate the quantity and duration of floral organs, were measured. These indexes included those of floral intensity and length of the floral period. Correlation analyses allowed to know that plants located in the shade and forest floor flowered less intensively and presented a more deteriorated foliage than those growing in the sun. This makes evident the negative effects of P. halepensis on the survival and persistence of P. cymbalaria individuals.

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