Alternanthera philoxeroides(Mart.) Griseb is a perennial herb grown in South America naturally.However,it is regarded as a great harmful invasive weed in many regions over the world.Asexual reproduction by vegetative organs,such as rhizome,is its main reproductive way.The characteristics of clonal reproduction discussed in this paper is based on the experiment with rhizome of A.philoxeroides.The results show that:(1) the node of rhizome is prerequisite of its clonal reproduction;(2) rhizome can accommodate its clonal growth by controlling the ratio of buds/node;(3)the diameter of rhizome also has a distinct effects on its clonal reproduction.The ratio of buds/node is the highest in the rhizome segment with 1 node and the lowest in the rhizome segment with 4 nodes,but the morphological characteristics of ramets show a different result,i.e.the height and the node number of ramets is the lowest in the rhizome segment with 1 node and the highest in the rhizome segment with 4 nodes.While the ratio of buds/node is higher in the rhizome segment with thick node than thin ones.
[12] Nagar P K.1995.Changes in abscisic acid,phenols and indoleacetic acid in bulbs of tuberose(Polianthes tuberosa L.)during dormancy and sprouting[J].Scientia Horticulturae,63:77-82.