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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Demography and Production of Leptopteris wilkesiana (Osmundaceae), a Tropical Tree-Fern From Fiji

J Ash

Australian Journal of Botany 34(2) 207 - 215
Published: 1986

Abstract

The demography of Leptopteris wilkesiana (Osmundaceae) was studied in an area of undisturbed primary forest near Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji. The tree-fern has a single growth flush of 3-9 new leaves each wet season, and this is apparent as a distinct annual band of stipe scars on the trunk. Trunk ages ranged up to 133 years and trunk height growth averages 1.6 cm year-1. Leaf longevity is normally 2-2½ years. There was a 1% probability that a trunk would fall over, or be knocked over, each year; most trunks produced new roots at the lowest part of the fallen stem and continued growing. Sporangia production commenced in plants 30-45 cm tall and increased with leaf size and the number of leaves. Spore pro- duction ranged up to 17 x 106 spores year-1 on a large plant, and 3 x 108 spores year-1 for a population of 100 plants, while recruitment of sporophytes was estimated at 1 year-1. Annual net production ranged up to 38 g oven-dry tissues on a large plant of which 55% was leaf production and 8% sporangia production.

https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9860207

© CSIRO 1986

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