Expansion of Tussilago farfra L. in disturbed environments. III. Successful colonization and the properties of individuals

Abstract

The survival, seedling and juvenile growth rates and the effectiveness of development and renewal of individuals obtained from seeds and rhizomes were studied. The results showed that the success of <i>Tussilago farfara</i> L. in colonizing disturbed environments, after its seeds reach the site and germinate, is a function of several of the important traits of this species: 1) tolerance of seedlings and juveniles to a wide range of changeable external conditions, 2) fast growth and development of individuals, 3) a high degree of adaptability in reaching successive stages of development, 4) querilla type growth, 5) intense spreading and renewal of individuals of generative and vegetative origin, 6) high effectiveness of vegetative reproduction, 7) adaptable allocation of resources to above-, and underground shoots