ASPHODELUS-AESTIVUS, AN EXAMPLE OF SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE CLIMATE PERIODICITY

The phenology of Asphodelus aestivus Brot. is described by means of a phenological model which has been formulated to fit skewed phenologica l data. Based on the model parameters the timing of different phenopha ses of biomass accumulation were determined. The biomass oscillations of leaves, inflorescence stalks and tubers were found to be synchroniz ed with the predictable seasonal climatic changes. In addition, the pl ant seems to respond to minor random climatic variations. The emergenc e of leaves and inflorescence stalks depends on stored material in the tubers while leaf and inflorescence stalk elongation as well as flowe ring depends on current production. The storage part of the tubers see ms to be a regulating structure, which is responsible for the synchron ization of A. aestivus productivity with the seasonality of the Medite rranean climate. A. aestivus is considered to be a Competitor Ruderal and Stress tolerant (C-R-S) strategist which may explain the wide dist ribution of this plant over the Mediterranean Basin.