Demographic structure of clonal, endemic, and endangered rheophyte bromeliad Dyckia ibiramensis: asexual vs sexual reproduction

Abstract In southern Brazil some species of Dyckia genus occur as rheophytes. ibiramensis is an endemic bromeliad that occurs in discrete patches the rocky banks along Itajaí do Norte River, Santa Catarina state. Four populations River were studied. each population, all rosettes counted and diameter rosette was measured. The spatial distribution identified isolated or a clump. clumps classified according to number rosettes. total per population ranged from 295 1,412. Most (98.1%), 41% have reproductive clump two 43 percentage 7.8 26.7%. correlation between area occupation significant positive. Few seedlings rosettes, production offshoots occurred on both immature, with few can indicate clonal propagation predominate D. ibiramensis. Therefore, maintenance monitoring are essential for its long-term situ conservation.