Effects of Leaf and Ramet Removal on Growth and Reproduction of Geonoma Congesta, A Clonal Understorey Palm

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Abstract
In a Costa Rican rain forest (La Selva) 15 Geonoma congesta clones, each with eight or fewer stems, were assigned to each of four treatments: 1) control (no manipulation), 2) removal of all but one ramet, 3) removal of 50% of the leaves from one ramet, and 4) removal of all but one ramet plus removal of 50% of the leaves. Ramet and leaf removal alone did not significantly increase mortality over controls, but mortality was significantly increased when both ramets and leaves were removed. Leaf and ramet removal had no significant effect on height-growth and stem-growth increments. Leaf size and stem diameter after 3 yr were not influenced by leaf removal or ramet removal. Defoliated ramets had a significantly higher annual rate of leaf production per initial number of leaves than non-defoliated ramets, whereas ramet removal showed no significant effect on leaf production of the remaining ramet. Clones were remarkably resistant to repeated defoliation and ramet removal. Results suggest that stored reserves are mobilized to maintain normal patterns of growth and ramet production following defoliation. Clonal growth in this species appears to buffer individual ramets against traumatic effects of ramet and leaf removal on growth, survival and reproduction. -from Autho

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