Reproduction of salal (Gaultheriashallon) under forest canopy

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Abstract
Sexual and vegetative reproduction of sala (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) was measured under forest canopies of different closure. Sexual reproduction occurred only at .ltoreq.33% closure; vegetative reproduction occurred under sparse and dense closure. Crown closure influenced sexual reproduction primarily through interception of radiation and associated reductions in sala vigour. Irradiance had a greater influence of the mode of reproduction than did shoot density, and allocation of total reproductive effort (sexual plus vegetative) was contrary to optimality models, but consistent with resource limitation. No shoot <5 years old flowered; shared costs of flowering indicated physiological integration among sala 1 shoots. Vegetative reproduction was negatively associated with age (r2 = 0.95), and 85% of the space occupied after 9 years of growth was occupied during the first 3 years. Under canopy the spatial pattern of salal shoots was better adapted to maintain plant persistance than to colonize new areas. Implications of salal''s rates and modes of reproduction to forest and wildlife management are noted.