Native Habitat, Phenology and Embryo Development of Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schm. in Areas Surrounding Shimane Peninsula, Japan

Abstract

The native habitat, phenology and embryo development of Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schm distributed in areas surrounding Shimane Peninsula, Japan were investigated in order to facilitate preservation of natural habitats and develop herb applications as a local genetic resources of this plant. Several wild populations of G. littoralis were found in the sandy beach areas of Yumigahama (Yonago, Tottori pref.), Iwami-Kaihin Park (Hamada, Shimane pref.) and other beaches. The protection and increase of G. littoralis population has been promoted in the beaches of Yumigahama and Sotozono (Izumo, Shimane pref.). In the wild habitat of this plant, the following phonological events were observed: Foliation from the end of Feb., flower bud emergence from the mid Apr., flowering from early May to mid Aug., fruit development, maturation and abscission at the peduncle from early July, leaf yellowing and abscission from Sep. and dormancy from the beginning of Dec. Embryos in the seeds began to enlarge under cold stratification for fifty days. GA treatment and removal of pericarp also promoted embryo development and germination.