Allelopathic inhibition of black cherry. II. Inhibition by woodland grass, ferns, and club moss

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Abstract
A comparison of paired field plots on poorly drained Allegheny hardwood sites demonstrated that the presence of hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtiapunctilobula Michx.), New York fern (Thelypterisnoveboracensis L.), short husk grass (Brachyelytrumerectum Schreb.), and club moss (Lycopodiumobscurum L.) was correlated with reduced numbers of black cherry (Prunusserotina Ehrh.) seedlings; numbers of red maple (Acerrubrum L.) seedlings were fewer where associated with the ferns and grass but not with club moss; numbers of sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) seedlings were fewer with the ferns but not grass or club moss. Height of the 10 tallest black cherry seedlings on each plot was less with the ferns and grass but not with club moss. In a greenhouse study, foliage extracts of all four ground covers inhibited growth of black cherry seedlings that had exhausted cotyledonary reserves. Allelopathic interference by herbaceous ground cover species apparently played a strong role in inhibiting establishment and growth of black cherry seedlings on poorly drained Allegheny Plateau sites.

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