PHENOTYPIC AND VEGETATIVE PLASTICITY OF Oeceoclades maculata (LINDL.) LINDL. (ORCHIDACEAE) IN TWO ENVIRONMENTS OF A FOREST AREA

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is the genotypic capacity in producing different phenotypes as a response to different environmental conditions. The invading orchid Oeceoclades maculata has high adaptative capacity related to the colonization of different habitats, particularly, anthropic ones. Current paper provides morphobiometric analyses of the species to report plastic-phenotypic-vegetative adaptations in two luminic environments in the Arboreto de Essências Nativas, in Araras SP Brazil. Fifty specimens of Oeceoclades maculata, featuring physiological maturity, were collected from the edge and the interior of the forest fragment. The following biometric data were taken: mean number of roots and pseudobulbs, leaves, mean length of roots and pseudobulbs, leaves, mean diameter of leaves and pseudobulbs, mean length and thickness of leaves, fresh mass of roots and pseudobulbs and leaves, dry mass of roots and pseudobulbs and leaves. Phenotypic plasticity index was calculated for all morphobiometric variables. Morphobiometric variables revealed plastic-phenotypic-vegetative adaptations in Oeceoclades maculata specimens in different environments of the Arboreto de Essências Nativas. Adaptations are mainly co-related to luminic conditions on the fragment´s edge and interior.