MAGNITUDE AND SOURCES OF INTRA-CLONAL VARIATION IN FOSTER HOLLY

A statistical model was used to partition the effects of age group, cu tting position within the plant crown, and ramet environment on propag ule development from stem cuttings collected from random stock plants of Ilex xattenuata Ashe 'Foster #2' ('Foster' holly). Most of the intr a-clonal variation observed originated from sources not partitioned by the model. Small differences in growth were associated with sampling position within the crown. Repropagation gave no indication that facto rs measured by the model could be passed from ramet to propagule. With in-clone variation was not reduced by repropagation or by hedging prop agules to force new growth.