Reproductive phenology in mediterranean macchia vegetation

Abstract

Reproductive phenology of the woody perennials of a Mediterranean shrubland in Southern Italy is investigated in relation to the Mediterranean climate and evolutionary origin of its flora. No single reproductive phenology was adopted by these perennials; in fact, less than one fifth of the species avoided the summer aridity by reproducing in spring; the remainder being equally divided between those species which, despite the drougth stress, either undertook most or the whole cycle in the summer or spent the summer developing their fruits, in spite of flowering and fruiting in spring and autumn. Most species flowered in spring rather than in autumn, while the number of species bearing ripe fruits is uniformly distributed throughout the seasons. New Mediterranean species reproduced in spring and/or summer with a cycle no longer than 24 weeks. Tropical remnants reproduced throughout the year and had cycles of different lengths. The overall view of phenology, reproductive characteristics and origin of the Mediterranean shrubs is discussed and three groups of species linked by one evolutionary trend are identified.