Past competition affects offspring seed traits, foliar terpenoid concentrations and fitness in the invasive forb Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae)

Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae) seeds were collected in Germany (native range) and California (invasive range), from mother plants grown with high or low aboveground competition for light. Morphological traits of seeds (mericarps) of the first greenhouse generation were compared. Mericarps were then allowed to germinate. The germination rate was determined. Of the second greenhouse generation of plants, the following parameters were measured: number of flowers and buds, ripe and green schizocarps, mericarps and fresh biomass. Furthermore, leaf tissue of all plants was analysed for the concentration of terpenoids (i.e. mono- and sesquiterpenes).