Variation in achene weight in Aster acuminatus

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Abstract
In the forest understory herb A. acuminatus, achene weight varies .apprx. 1- to 4-fold among achenes collected from single flower heads and 2.5-fold among achenes collected from numerous plants from 3 field sites. Inner and outer achenes in 1 flower head are normally similar in weight. Achenes collected from different flower heads on one plant usually vary significantly in weight. Significant variation in achene weight among plants from 1 patch was always observed. Variation among patches and field sites was small. Taller plants as a group had slightly heavier achenes than shorter plants. Lighter achenes were less likely to germinate and survive than heavier achenes and produced significantly smaller seedlings. The patterns of variation in achene weight indicate that most of it is nongenetic. The variation may be a consequence of short-term environmental variation during the time of achene maturation.