Data from "Functional traits of a co-occurring invasive (Ardisia crenata) and native (Callicarpa americana) shrub in north-central Florida"

During October 2022, Callicarpa americana L. (Lamiaceae) and Ardisia crenata Sims (Primulaceae) were sampled in the University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL; https://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/). Plants were selected in pairs (one of each species) in high and low light environments (4 paired replicates per light environment). Four plant pairs were sampled within an upland pine area dominated by Pinus palustris (2 pairs per light environment), and four pairs within a hardwood hammock forest type dominated by Quercus and Liquidambar (2 pairs per light environment). Both forest types occur on deep sandy soils. Photosynthetic light response curves were measured using a Li-6800 (Li-Cor Inc., Lincoln, NE) on sun-exposed leaves. Leaf functional traits were measured on the light-response curve leaves, and then plants were destructively sampled to measure plant biomass fractions (leaf, root, and stem biomass fractions) and additional leaf functional traits (on a sample of 5 healthy leaves taken from the plant).