Achene heteromorphism in Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae): differences in germination and possible adaptive significance

Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae), a noxious weed in many ecosystems worldwide, produces large amounts of heteromorphic (central and peripheral) achenes. The primary aims of the present study were to compare the morphological, dormancy/germination characteristics of dimorphic achenes. Temperatures simulating those in the natural habitat of B. pilosa were used to test for primary dormancy and germination behaviour of fresh central and peripheral achenes. The effects of cold stratification, gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and dry storage on breaking dormancy were tested and the germination percentage of dimorphic achenes in response to osmotic stress was measured. Cold stratification, GA(3) and dry storage significantly increased the germination percentage, suggesting both types of achenes had non-deep physiological dormancy. Variously pretreated central achenes had significantly higher germination percentages than peripheral achenes. Central achenes were more osmotically tolerant than peripheral achenes with a high germination percentage in high polyethylene glycol concentrations. These above differences among dimorphic achenes of B. pilosa increased the species’ fitness to adapt to heterogeneous habitats creating an ecological adaptive strategy that may allow B. pilosa to successfully thrive in stressful habitats.