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ECOLOGY
& PHYSIOLOGY
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Molecular phylogenetic
analysis of Lilium and Fritillaria
show they are sister genera with early diverging Fritillaria
retaining
many of the morphological and life cycle characteristics of Lilium.
Temporal, morphological and habitat changes in other members of the
genus show
a shift from mesomorphic to zeromorphic adaptation. Most Fritillaria
can
be characterised as flowering in the spring in seasonally moist open
habitats with
dry summers. Many Fritillaria occur in areas where
there are higher
levels of precipitation during their summer dormant period than at
flowering
time indicating cool temperature and not soil moisture govern their
flowering
period.
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Most Fritillaria
species have two periods of growth
and two periods of dormancy that closely correspond to seasonal changes
in soil
temperature. In the autumn new adventitious roots emerge from the base
of the
stem passing through the scales of the current seasons bulb. The
inflorescence
bud also elongates during this period. The first period of dormancy
occurs with
the onset of winter and corresponding reduction in soil temperature. In
spring
as the soil temperature and moisture levels increase Fritillaria
enter
their most active growth phase with the roots and shoot fully
elongating. Stalk
elongation and anthesis requires cool temperatures (5-9 °C
during
daylight hours). At high altitude
and/or latitude
flowering may not occur until June or July. In these areas Fritillaria
are often found by melting snow or in seasonally moist areas and are
one of the
first plants to come into flower. Individuals flower for about 10-14
days and
after pollination the developing capsule takes 6-8 weeks to mature. In
early
summer as the soil temperature increases the second period of dormancy
occurs.
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