Seasonal phenology and starch allocation patterns in populations of Oxycaryum cubense forma cubense and paraguayense in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida

Phenological studies for Cuban bulrush [Oxycaryum cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Lye] have been limited to the monocephalous form in Lake Columbus (Mississippi). Accordingly, there is little available information on potential phenological differences among Cuban bulrush forms (monocephalous vs. polycephalous) and populations in other geographic locations in the United States. Therefore, seasonal patterns of biomass and starch allocation in Cuban bulrush were quantified from two populations in Lake Columbus on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi (monocephalous), two populations from Lake Martin in Louisiana (polycephalous), and two populations from Orange Lake in Florida (polycephalous). Monthly samples of Cuban bulrush inflorescence, emergent, and submersed tissue were harvested from two plots per state from October 2021 to September 2022. During monthly data collection, air temperature and photoperiod were recorded. Starch allocation patterns were similar among all sites, with starch storage being less than 1.5% dry weight for all plant tissues. Biomass was greatest in Lake Columbus (monocephalous; 600.7 g DW m-2) followed by Lake Martin (polycephalous; 392.3 g DW m-2) and Orange Lake (polycephalous; 233.85 g DW m-2). Peak inflorescence biomass occurred in the winter for the Lake Martin and Orange Lake populations, and in the summer for the Lake Columbus population. Inflorescence biomass in Lake Columbus had a positive relationship (r2=0.53) with warmer air temperatures. Emergent and submersed biomass generally had negative relationships with both photoperiod and temperature (r2=0.022-0.7789) in all sites. Peak biomass was also negatively related to temperature and photoperiod. Results from this study indicate that there are differences in biomass allocation between the two growth forms of Cuban bulrush and that growth can occur at temperatures below freezing. Low temperature tolerance may allow this species to expand its range further north than previously suspected.