Germination of Clematis microphylla Seeds Following Weathering and Other Treatments

Abstract

Germination of Clematis microphyiia seeds was quicker following pericarp removal or if exposed previously to a cycle of wetting and drying. Germination was also quicker following field weathering of seeds; this effect is attributed to pericarp decay and to embryo development during intermittent wet periods. Addition of gibberellic acid or nitrate advanced germination only slightly. Treatments which resulted in the most rapid germination of the first seeds did not necessarily advance germination of whole populations.

We interpret the ability of C. microphylla seeds to withstand desiccation at advanced stages of germination without reverting to their state before imbibition as an adaptive feature which both provides a timing mechanism for germination and may also hasten seedling establishment.