• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2003

Frequencies of each size class, annual change of tuber state and above ground/belowground rate in sect. Pes-gallinaceua group of Corydalis (Fumariaceae) were studied to clarify spring ephemeral´s growth characteristics from 1999 to 2000 in Namhansansung area. Shoot grew from the tuber corresponding with soil thawing in the early growth season, and the deeper tuber was located in soil, the later shoot germinated. Shoot appeared in middle March and died early in May, and the period of total growth season was 45 days. Frequencies were 40% (in total dry weight) or 53% (in tuber´ dry weight) in the smallest size class, and 93% (in total dry weight) or 96% (in tuber´ dry weight) below medium size, therefore, almost all of plants were small. Specific gravity of tuber (SGT) gradually decreased from late growth season to the time that leaf unfolded in next year. At this time, the value of SGT was 0.14. Thereafter, SGT increased to 0.42 at withering time of aboveground part. During growth season, the SGT of flowering plants was lower than that of non-flowering plants. And SGT difference between flowering plants and non-flowering plants was significant at 1% level. In the late growth season, SGT decreased along the increase of tuber volume. The tuber volume roughly increased along the leaf area but there was no a conspicuous trend. Shoot/tuber rate had nothing to do with tuber volume. SGT decreased and leaf area increased along the tuber dry weight, and tendencies of increase or decrease were conspicuous. Therefore, the smaller the plants were, the larger organic matter accumulated in tuber during a growth season. Shoot/tuber rates were various along each plant.