Phenological differences and similarities between C₃ and C₄ grasses in sunny habitats with contrasting moisture levels.

Abstract

Comparison of shoot phenology between C₃ and C₄ grasses growing in open sites in lowland Gifu revealed contrasting phenology in xeric (or mesic) habitats. C₃ species were evergreen or winter-green and flowered mainly in spring, whereas C₄ species were summer-green and flowered mainly in summer and autumn. Differences in flowering times between C₃ and C₄ species when they attained maximum height would reduce competition between them and facilitate their cooccurrence. On the other hand, in hydric habitats, some C₃ species had growing and flowering times that overlapped with those of C₄ species. Thus, seasonal dominance of C₃ and C₄ species appears to differ between xeric and hydric habitats.