Reproductive structures production for Ulex europaeus y Teline monspessulana in three vegetation types at monserrate mountain hill, Bogotá D.C. – Colombia

Abstract

In Monserrate mountain hill, at Bogotá D.C., 2800 m.a.s.l., production and release of reproductive structures –floral buds, flowers, fruits and seeds– was studied in two plant alien species: gorse, Ulex europaeus, and french broom, Teline monspessulana. Production was evaluated by direct counting of structures on the plant and ripe fruit harvest in order to analyze seeds/fruit and seeds/ individual. Release of structures to soil was evaluated by installing square traps –0.5 x 0.5m– to capture the fruit and seed rain during a month. The effect of three local plant cover: grassland (pa), eucalypt planting (eu) and secondary forest (bo) upon production and release of reproductive structures is analyzed in the most spread species –T. monspessulana– Gorse and french broom production and release of reproductive structures is compared on grassland cover. The results showed the major capacity of french broom to penetrate and infest inside local covers, but a major aggressive trait was identified to gorse, represented in its greater reproductive structures production and release. Asynchronic production was verified between individuals of gorse and French broom species, and also the reduction and homogenization of reproductive structures production below forest and planting canopy