Features of the development of xylorhizomes in a dwarf subshrub Scutellaria mongolica K. Sobol.

Abstract

The development of individuals of the endemic Scutellaria mongolica in the shrubbed meadow steppe and steppe meadow in the Kemerovo region was studied. It was established that the species forms an implicit polycentric dwarf subshrub life form with xylorhizomes. In adulthood, individuals form a clump, which includes three variants of xylorhizomes, differing in the time of occurrence, the origin and type of formation shoots. In the young generative state, epigeogenic xylorhisomes of two variants develop, and in the mature generative state, hypo-epigeogenic xylorhisomes develop. In different habitats, multivariance of the development of adult individuals is observed. On a plain habitats in a steppe meadow, xylorhizomes branch in the third year, they are short, very thickened, and their life expectancy reaches 16 years. On the steep slopes in the shrubbed meadow steppe, xylorhizomes branch in the first year of their occurrence, they are long, slightly thickened, and their life expectancy is from 4 to 8 years. It was shown that the difference in the formation of xylorhisomes is one of the mechanisms for the sustainable existence of the species in different ecologo-phytocenotic conditions.