Dataset for "Attributes of Phragmites australis in response to climate change using a common garden study"

The response of plant species to environmental change, including climate, is based on phenotypic plasticity. Empirical research can help in understanding how invasive plants adapt to changing conditions for successful establishment. Our goal was to assess the effect of environment of origin and ecotypic variation on phenotypic response of native and invasive Phragmites australis using morphological and ecophysiological measurements. We established a common garden study using seeds collected from Southwest, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions that crossed longitudinal and latitudinal gradients of the US. Within and end of growing season measurements were made for morphological (e.g., height, leaf size, inflorescence) and ecophysiological (e.g., photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency) attributes of all P. australis lineages. Native and invasive lineages differed significantly across regions in the categories of maximum height and stem diameter along with the probability of inflorescence. However, lineages were fairly similar across regions with regard to photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water use efficiency throughout the growing season. The general insignificance in ecophysiology among the lineages and across regions demonstrates adaption or phenotypic plasticity of P. australis. However, morphological characteristics of P. australis may not be as evolutionarily advanced in response to changing conditions, especially drought.