Growth experiement

sandyfordboi

Hey im a third year botany student and im currently doing my thesis on a invasive alien plant thats present on the north dublin islands mainly irelands eye and lambay and comparing it to a member of the same family!

The invasive alien plant is Sedum album and the native one is Sedum anglicum. As part of my project i have to determine how they spread being by seeds, a seed bank or by vegetative reproduction!

I was just wondering would anyone know how to go about testing if the species grows via a seed bank or by vegetative reproduction? thanks

redser7

Observation I would imagine. Can you take a plant and study it at home?

Cardinal Richelieu

Not been flippant but have you asked your course tutor or whoever is in charge of your thesis for advice?

Oldtree

Possibly:

wild plants by seed (invasive or native or hybrid)
cultivated plant (sellective breeding)
vegetative reproduction (identical to parent - invasive or native or hybrid)

maby genetic testing is the answer, but you would have to know the pure specifics of the original plants to draw comparisons as a straightforward ID may not be specific enough.

http://www.sgs.ie/en/Agriculture-Food/Seed-and-Crop/Seed-Services/Genetic-Testing.aspx

looksee

Since you are still at the level of primary degree you can use secondary research I would have thought? It is probably well established how these sedums reproduce so its your job to find that research, analyse, review and draw conclusions.

I will stand corrected on this, but that would be my understanding of the process.

Nonmonotonic

Do you know any researchers in Teagasc or the Botanic gardens?