The Foraging Tactics of Plants

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Abstract
The growth pattern of stoloniferous and rhizomatous plants may be considered analagous to the search path of a foraging animal. Plants often grow in patchy environments and modifications of the growth pattern in response to patch quality may alter the distribution of ramets. The consequences of various responses were determined by means of simulation models. The predictions of the models are: (1) branching probability should be higher in better patches; (2) branching angle should not be modified by patch quality; and (3) internode length should decrease with patch quality. These predictions were tested using a literature review. Predictions (1) and (2) were consistently supported by the literature review. Prediction (3) was supported in some studies but not others. We suggest an explanation for this pattern and directions for future research.