The Spatial Development of Spartina Colonies Growing without Competition

The spatial development of circular auxoclones of Spartina townsendii colonizing bare mud or muddy sand is described. It is shown that enlargement of the auxoclones is accompanied by a change in shoot density distribution and development of a concentric pattern. Additional ‘rings’ of high shoot density are added as the auxoclone increases in diameter and those in the centre are maintained. The number of rings is proportional to the diameter, and auxoclones reached the same complexity at the same diameter on different substrates. This type of development is discussed in relation to Spartina morphology.