Abstract

Size class structure and vegetative growth of a perennial herb of the temperate deciduous forests, Symplocarpus renifolius Schott, were studied from 1991 to 1994 in Namhansansung, Kyonggi Province, Korea. The size class structures of leaf number and leaf area per individual followed bell-shape curve, i.e. frequency of middle class was relatively high. The leaf area increased from the late-March to mid-May. At the end of the growing season, leaf area(length X breadth) was proportional to biomass, especially aboveground biomass. The leaf number and leaf area per individual increased at the rate of 0.08 leaf/year and 9.7 $cm^2/year$, respectively. The size of the individuals in large-sized classes, in leaf number and leaf area, decreased in next year, while the size of the individuals in small-sized classes increased. Therefore, it was concluded that the size class structure of S. renifolius population was largely determined by the growth form.

Keywords

• Growth form;
• Leaf area;
• Leaf number;
• Population;
• Size class structure;
• Symplocarpus renifolius