Study on the competitive strategies of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in a mesophylic wood of Northern Italy

Authors

  • Riccardo Ianniciello Socio della Società dei Naturalisti in Napoli
  • Giancarlo Marconi CNR Bologna, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6093/2724-4393/8939

Keywords:

Robinia pseudoacacia, Black Locust, competition, allelopathy, thorns, bark, interspecific strategies

Abstract

The Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a cosmopolitan and extremely adaptable plant thanks to the different strategies adopted in the interspecifical competition. In this study, beyond the strategy known as allelopathy, we focus on a rarely investigated aspect of the ecology of this tree, i.e. the phenomena of the presence of thorns on the trunk (mechanism of defense against the ungulates) in the first years of growth and their disappearance as the bark becomes thicker. It is found that the presence of thorns is limited to young branches in mature individuals and that a relationship with the age through the trunk rings can be drawn.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2022-01-31

How to Cite

Ianniciello, R., & Marconi, G. (2022). Study on the competitive strategies of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in a mesophylic wood of Northern Italy. Bulletin of Regional Natural History, 1(4), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.6093/2724-4393/8939