Data from: A phylogenetic analysis of trait convergence in the spring flora

In temperate deciduous forests, spring flowering plants exhibit remarkable similarity in a number of characteristics, including reproductive, vegetative, and ecological traits. The apparent convergence of floral traits, especially corolla colour, among spring flowering species has been well documented, but remains poorly understood. Here we review adaptive hypotheses and predictions that have been proposed to explain the apparent correlation between spring flowering and a suite of traits. We investigated the correlation between flowering phenology (i.e., spring or nonspring) and several key traits using phylogenetic comparative methods. Through this analysis we were able to confirm the existence of a correlation for five of the six traits examined. Specifically, spring flowering is shown to have evolved in a correlated fashion with reproductive schedule (perennial vs. annual), light corolla colour, fruit type, growth form, and forest strata layer. In general, our survey determined that spring flowering species are perennial, have light coloured corollas, a herbaceous growth form, and tend to occupy the understory of the forest. These results are discussed in light of the reviewed adaptive hypotheses and the spring pollination environment.

在温带落叶阔叶林生态系统中，春季开花植物在繁殖、营养及生态等诸多性状上表现出显著的相似性。春季开花物种间花部性状（尤其是花冠颜色）的趋同现象虽已有大量文献记录，但相关机制仍未得到充分阐释。本文综述了旨在解释春季开花与一系列性状间潜在关联的适应性假说及相关预测。本研究采用系统发育比较法，探究了开花物候（即春季开花或非春季开花）与若干关键性状之间的关联。通过本次分析，我们证实了所检测的6个性状中有5个存在显著关联。具体而言，研究显示春季开花与繁殖策略（多年生与一年生）、浅色系花冠、果实类型、生长型及森林层位存在协同演化关系。总体而言，本调研表明春季开花物种多为多年生植物，具有浅色系花冠，呈草本生长型，且多栖息于森林林下层。本文结合综述的适应性假说及春季传粉环境，对上述研究结果展开了讨论。