Growth Dynamics of Chilean Matorral Shrubs

Abstract

Seasonal patterns of leaf area increment and shoot elongation of six Chilean matorral shrub species were analyzed. The leaf area of individual shoots was measured weekly. The leaf area growth rates during the flushing period varied from 0.6 cm2/wk for Satureja gilliesii to 28.9 cm2/wk for Lithraea caustica. The six species had characteristic temporal growth patterns. Satureja gilliesii initiated growth shortly after the first winter rains in June while L. caustica, the last species to become vegetatively active, showed first leaf growth in November (late spring). Shoot elongation rates ranged from 0.06 cm/day for Colliguaya odorifera to 0.17 cm/day for the two summer-deciduous species, S. gilliesii and Trevoa trinervis. The species with low growth rates have long growth periods, and species with high growth rates have short but intensive flushing periods.