Non-adaptation in Agrostis capillaris L. (Poaceae)

The idea that all plant species are perfectly adapted to their environment is well embedded in ecology. In an attempt to test this concept, within-species differences in the grass Agrostis capillaris L. (Poaceae) were examined. We randomly sampled genotypes as tillers from populations over a wide environmental range in southern New Zealand, and transplanted them back into their own and each other's sites. Growth, floral phenology and tiller population dynamics all gave very little evidence of adaptation at the population level.