Reproductive biology of Rumex crispus. Phenology, surface area of chlorophyll-containing tissue, and contribution of the perianth to reproduction

Abstract

Rumex crispus (curled dock) overwinters as a rosette. Growth of the rosette begins in the middle of April and the panicles emerge after about 4 to 6 weeks. Anthesis starts in the middle of a panicle and proceeds basipetally and acropetally on the main rachis and outward on the primary and secondary branches. The seeds mature from the end of July to the middle of August.The perianth is a major portion of the total chlorophyll-containing tissue of the panicle. Perianth segments enclosing the seeds contribute significantly to the dry matter of seeds. The contribution is highest when the perianth is young. The growth in length and width of seeds is complete 8 days after anthesis.