Spatial and temporal patterns of investment in growth and sexual reproduction in two stoloniferous species, Lathyrus latifolius and L. sylvestris

During a 2-year study, the spatial and temporal dynamics of clonal growth, flower and fruit production, and production and survivorship of seedlings were compared in two species of Lathyrus in south-western France. Both are perennials that have a phalanx growth form, with a high density of closely packed ramets. Transects of contiguous quadrats were established in one population of L. latifolius (at an altitude of 150m a.s.l.) and in two populations of L. sylvestris (520 m and 750 m a.s.l.) (...)