FLORAL INITIATION AND SEED PRODUCTION IN FESTUCA SCABRELLA TORR.

Abstract

Three thousand seven hundred and eighty shoot apices of Festuca scabrella Torr. were examined over a three-year period. Stages of development and height of apices above the root-stem transition were recorded. Initiation and partial floral development occurred in autumn, 1963 and 1965; seed set in native stands was good in 1964 and 1966. Initiation failed to occur in 1964 and 1966; seed set was poor in 1965 and a poor seed crop in 1967 appeared likely. Causes of induction and later initiation of floral development were not determined. The tendency of F. scabrella to decrease in abundance when grazed heavily was attributed to its erect growth habit and lack of lateral tillers rather than to factors associated with the developmental morphology of the shoot apex.