Growth habits of dandelion, daisy, catsear, and hawkbit in some New Zealand grasslands

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Abstract
DGrowth habits of four basal rosette composites, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), catsear (Hypochaeris radicata L.), hawkbit (Leontodon taraxacoides Vill. Mérat), and daisy (Bellis perennis L.). were studied in two mowed, three heavily grazed, three lightly grazed, and two uncut grasslands near Palmerston North. With increasing degree of defoliation: (1) plant radius and longest leaf decreased, (2) root length generally decreased, (3) leaf number increased, (4) plant form changed from mainly upright (46-90°) to mainly slanting (1-45°) and appressed (0°). Leaf and root dry weights of dandelion were highest in uncut swards and of catsear and hawkbit were highest in grazed swards; daisy biomass was unrelated to management. In all species absolute and relative dry weights of floral structures were highest in lightly grazed swards. Relative root dry weight varied from 17% to 57% and decreased with increasing relative floral biomass. Distance to nearest neighbour relative to plant radius was higher for appressed plants in hawkbit and daisy, but was unrelated to plant form in the other species.