Variability in growth and reproduction in F-families of an Erophila verna population.

Seeds from two morphologically different groups in an Erophila verna dune population were used in a growth experiment to analyse and quantify flexibility and plasticity of growth and reproductive characteristics.A strong correlation between plant morphology and individual seed weight was shown in parents and progeny. Seeds of plants with narrow leaves were twice as heavy (H-plants) as those from plants with broad leaves (L-plants) Families of H-plants allocated ca. 10% more dry matter to the roots. These characters were fixed, presumably due to selfing. Plants of both types are characterized by a graded control function between the vegetative and the reproductive phase. Most of the families showed a single switch from vegetative to reproductive growth, two families showed even two switch periods.Between-family differentiation is interpreted as a result of multiniche selection in populations of Erophila verna. Within-family variation is disadvantageous due to low fecundity.