Genecological variation in the germination, growth and morphology of four populations of a Tasmanian endangered perennial daisy, Leucochrysum albicans

Seed was obtained from four populations of an endangered perennial daisy, Leucochrysum albicans (syn. Helipterum albicans), in Tasmania. These populations were from montane basaltic soils, montane limestone soils, lowland basaltic soils and lowland soils derived from mudstone. All populations had their highest percentage germination at 20°c, but the montane populations had lower germination rates than the lowland populations, especially at lower temperatures. The low altitude populations exhibited more rapid germination than the high altitude populations. In a glasshouse experiment droughting decreased the growth of the provenances from limestone and mudstone, while having little effect on the basalt provenances, mulching increased the growth of the lowland provenances relative to the highland provenances, and the application of fertiliser depressed the growth of the montane basalt provenance. Variations in leaf characteristics and flowering rates were evident between either provenance or treatment. The marked geographic variation in germination, morphology and ecological responses indicates that it is important to maintain the species over its full environmental range.