Browsing by Author "WALKER, MJ"

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    GROWTH HABITS AND PHENOLOGY OF DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPECIES IN AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT
    (1980) HOFFMANN, AJ; WALKER, MJ
    Several drought-deciduous species occur in the mediterranean type vegetation of central Chile, some of them extending to the slopes of the Coastal and Andean Ranges, up to 2300 m. The growth habits and phenology at different altitudes are compared in 2 drought-deciduous, malacophyllous shrubs: Talguenea quinquinervia, a species of restricted distribution, and Proustia cuneifolia, of widespread distribution. The morphology and timing of seasonal events of T. quinquinervia do not substantially change along its altitudinal range of distribution. In contrast, gradual displacement of phenology occurs in P. cuneifolia, with increasing altitude. Its growth habit varies from the presumably original chamaephyte to a phanerophyte, when under optimal conditions, or to a hemicryptophyte in the highest altitudes. Low temperatures and a prolonged snow cover constitute severe limiting factors for the survival of this drought-deciduous life form.