A buried seed experiment using caryopses ofChionochloa macraZotov (Danthonieae: Poaceae), South Island, New Zealand

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Abstract
A buried seed experiment was conducted in the alpine zone of the Craigieburn Range, South Island, New Zealand, with caryopses of the common large tussock grass Chionochloa macra Zotov. Overwinter survival of caryopses enclosed in the palea and lemma and buried 1 cm below the soil or litter surface averaged 78% of those initially viable. Summer mortality was high, with only 5.5% of ungerminated fruits still viable by autumn. The major losses from the seed bank of this species were, in order of importance, germination, summer embryo mortality, and winter embryo mortality. There were significant differences in fruit survival, germination, and success of seedling establishment in the two most important microhabitats for seedlings, Poa colensoi turf, and litter/bryophyte mat.