Biomorphological analysis and developmental features of two short-lived plants: Stachys annua (L.) L. and Clinopodium acinos (L.) Kuntze

Abstract

To clarify life form, ontogeny and features shoot formation of individuals Stachys annua and Clinopodium acinos were studied. It was found that the duration ontogeny of species is determined by rate of development shoot of an individual. It was found that both species bloom in the first year, however, individuals of S. annua, having reached their maximum growth, completely die off at the end of the first growing season. Accelerated development of S. annua individuals leads to the formation of powerful synflorescence and inhibition development unrealized buds of basal part shoot. In contrast to S. annua, ontogeny of C. acinos individuals is long (5–6 years). The slowed down development rate of the C. acinos shoot leads formation of a weak generative sphere and development of innovation zone consisting of 1–2 metameres with functionally developed naked buds. The performed biomorphological analysis allows us to classify S. annua as typical annual monocarpic, C. acinos as oligocarpic, belonging to the sensu lato short-lived plants group.