Some Factors Affecting the Distribution of Endymion Nonscriptus (L.) Garcke in Warwickshire Woods

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Abstract
Seeds of Endymion nonscriptus are seldom dispersed further than they may be thrown when the dry scrapes are dispersed by large animals. They germinate between Oct. and Dec. and need darkness, provided by leaf litter cover. A greater number of flowers per scape are produced in well-lit situations: 11 per scape compared with 6 per scape in shade. Flowering is earlier in the southern and western margins of woods and beneath trees although plants of open habitats ultimately produce more flowers and seed. The relationship between Endymion and Pteridium aquilinum, Holcus mollis and Mercurialis perennis was studied and M. perennis was found to be the only serious competitor by preventing the development of small bulbs. Rabbits, by restricting M. perennis, aid Endymion Endymion is not grazed by rabbits and although trampling by rabbits and others is damaging, this together with scraping is less serious on soft ground, affecting Endymion less than other species and tending to produce pure stands. Seedling establishment and bulb size are greater in sandy soils and bulbs were not found below the water table. More ovules are fertilized in higher light intensities and it is suggested that this is due to greater number of insect visitors, the most important being Bombus spp. By lifting about 800 bulbs from different habitats vegetative reproduction was found to be only 2.3 % but seedlings were abundant in all habitats.

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