Growth And Resource Allocation In HOUSTONIA MONTANA, A Rare Endemic Plant In The Southern Appalachians

Houstonia montana is a rare, federally listed endemic plant in the southern Appalachians. It is found on rock outcrops with shallow soils and low competition for light and soil resources. Rare and endemic species are often restricted to infertile habitats, where resources are scarce and competition from faster growing species is minimal. The persistence of many species in resource-limited habitats is often attributed to their ability to tolerate stress, and thought to correspond to poor competitive ability in more favorable environments. Because H. montana is found in environments of contrasting soil fertility and light competition, its ability to respond to environmental variables was explored. Growth, allocation, and nutrient acquisition of H. montana were examined in the field and the greenhouse to better understand its persistence on both rock outcrops and grassy slopes.