CLO-PLA2 - a database of clonal plants in central Europe

'CLO-PLA2' (CLOnal PLAnts, version 2) is a database on architectural aspect s of clonal growth in vascular plants of central Europe. The database inclu des 2749 species, characterised by 25 variables, either directly or indirec tly related to clonal growth. The total number of items in the database is over 12 750. The structure of the database is described and the variables u sed to characterise clonal growth of individual species are listed. Two exa mples of database utilisation are given. The first concerns the relationshi p between habitat niche width and the mode of clonal growth. Turf graminoid s, species with long-lived rhizomes either short to long and formed below-g round, or short and formed above-ground, and short-lived rhizomes formed ab ove-ground, are over-represented among the species with very broad niches a nd under-represented among the species with narrow niches. In contrast, spe cies multiplying by plant fragments are missing among the species with the broadest niches. The second example explores how individual clonal growth m odes are combined in individual species. About 21% of species of clonal pla nts have more than one mode of clonal growth. Some combinations are over-re presented in certain families and environments. The application of phylogen etic independent contrasts (PIC) showed that both phylogenetic constraints and adaptations to particular environmental conditions play important roles in determining the observed pattern.