Patterns of Resource Allocation Among Five Herbaceous Perennials

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Abstract
Five species of fall-flowering, herbaceous perennial composites (Aster and Solidago spp.) growing in 2 habitats, a 10-15 yr-old field and an adjacent woods in central Ohio [USA], were compared. Analysis of the allocation patterns of these species, calculated both on the basis of total and above-ground weight, indicated significant differences in the allocation patterns of the old field vs. woods species (habitat effect) and significant differences between the 2 genera (genus effect). The old field species, Solidago altissima, S. nemoralis, and Aster pilosus, allocated a significiantly greater proportion of their biomass to flowering structures (18.6% vs. 7.9%) and stem (42.5% vs. 32.3%) than the woods species, S. caesia and A. lateriflorus. Both woods species produced rhizomes and allocated a significantly greater proportion of their total biomass to below-ground structures (roots and rhizomes) than the old field species (37.2% vs. 19.8%). In both habitats, the Solidago species allocated a greater proportion of their biomass to reproductive structures than the Aster species (17.3% vs. 9.6%); whereas, the Aster species consistently allocated proportionately more biomass to stem (44.5% vs. 34.3%). The influence of both habitat and morphological constraints on the observed differences in allocation schemes in these species are discussed.