We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
An Ecological Life History of Tall Bluebell (Mertensia Arizonica var. Leonardi) in Utah.
- Authors
Matthews, Verl B.; Conrad, Paul W.
- Abstract
Tall bluebell (Mertensia arizonica Greene var. leonardi (Rydb.) Johnston) is a tall perennial forb that is distributed in the aspen and subalpine communities throughout the central chain of mountains in Utah. Stems emerge each year from dormant buds on a fleshy caudex. Stem elongation starts with snowmelt (late May to early June) and stops 8 weeks later. Rate of elongation is most rapid (up to 1.5 inches per day) midway in the growing period, and growth curves have a characteristic sigmoid shape. First flowering starts midway in the period of stem elongation and stops 2 weeks after stem elongation has ended. Seeds fall from plants 18-25 days after flowers are pollinated by insects. Seedlings appear the following June, at densities of 0.1-2.5/ft2, but nearly all seedlings die each year when surface soils dry out at midsummer. Surviving seedlings require a growing period of 2 or 3 years before flowering the first time. Once established, plants develop roots to a depth of 7 ft. Tall bluebell competes successfully with other species and may constitute over two thirds of the total ground cover. It produces up to 3,000 pounds (air-dry weight) of forage per acre. Sheep utilize up to 35% (July) and cattle up to 46% (July) of the herbage yield.
- Publication
Ecology, 1968, Vol 49, Issue 6, p1113
- ISSN
0012-9658
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/1934495