ANIMAL DISPERSAL OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN SEDGE, CYPERUS-PLUKENETII (CYPERACEAE)

A suite of characteristics of Cyperus plukenetii, which facilitate zoochory (animal dispersal), is described and illustrated. Dispersal experiments with C. plukenetii show an average of 46.4 spikelets initially adhered to the human disperser's clothing. Of these, 38.8% were transported at least 10 m from the source, and 15.2% were dispersed at least 100 m. Data about plant height (xBAR = 65 cm, range = 20-121) taken from living populations and from herbarium specimens indicate that a variety of mammals, and perhaps birds, may potentially function as dispersal agents of C. plukenetii.