Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2024
Abstract
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus L.) is an emergent perennial monocot that has invaded aquatic systems along the U.S.–Canadian border. Currently, there are two known cytotypes of flowering rush, diploid and triploid, within the invaded range. Although most studies have focused on the triploid cytotype, little information is known about diploid plants. Therefore, phenology and resource allocation were studied on the diploid cytotype of flowering rush in three study sites (Mentor Marsh, OH; Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, NY; and Unity Island, NY) to understand seasonal resource allocation and environmental influences on growth, and to optimize management strategies. Samples were harvested once a month from May to November at each site from 2021 to 2023. Plant metrics were regressed to air temperature, water temperature, and water depth. Aboveground biomass peaked from July to September and comprised 50% to 70% of total biomass. Rhizome biomass peaked from September to November and comprised 40% to 50% of total biomass. Rhizome bulbil densities peaked from September to November at 3,000 to 16,000 rhizome bulbils m−2. Regression analysis resulted in strong negative relationships between rhizome starch content and air temperature (r2 = 0.52) and water temperature (r2 = 46). Other significant, though weak, relationships were found, including a positive relationship between aboveground biomass and air temperature (r2 = 0.17), a negative relationship between rhizome bulbil biomass and air temperature (r2 = 0.18) and a positive relationship between leaf density and air temperature (r2 = 0.17). Rhizomes and rhizome bulbils combined stored up to 60% of total starch, and therefore, present a unique challenge to management, as these structures cannot be reached directly with herbicides. Therefore, management should target the aboveground tissue before peak production (July) to reduce internal starch storage and aim to limit regrowth over several years.
Department
Biological Sciences
Print ISSN
1939-7291
Online ISSN
1939-747X
Publication Title
Invasive Plant Science and Management
Recommended Citation
Gebhart, M. G., Wersal, R. M., Hannes, A. R., Harms, N. E., Sartain, B. T., Wolanske, W. L., & Yeager, M. (2024). Phenology and resource allocation strategies of diploid flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) in Ohio and New York. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 17(4), 247–257. https://doi.org/10.1017/inp.2024.31
DOI
10.1017/inp.2024.31
Link to Publisher Version (DOI)
Publisher's Copyright and Source
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Weed Science Society of America.
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
First published online by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Weed Science Society of America at https://doi.org/10.1017/inp.2024.31
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
