Phenotypic variation in the Sphagnum recurvum complex: a cultivation experiment

Abstract

Three morphs in the Sphagnum recurvum complex sampled from two mire localities in Central Norway were cultivated under different water levels and nutrient conditions in order to assess the amount and direction of phenotypic plasticity in several morphological variables. The factor ‘morph’ accounted for much of the variation. However, many of the shoot, branch, leaf and cell variables responded to the experimentally altered conditions, and water level was particularly important. Only the spreading:hanging branch length ratio and various stem leaf variables distinguished the Sphagnum angustifolium moiph from the S. fallax and S. isoviitae morphs regardless of environmental conditions and sampling locality. The results indicated that there is a continuum of genotypes shared by S. fallax and S. isoviitae.