Abstract:

The demorgraphical characteristics of the lateral root, the pattern of the biomass accumulation of Staghorn sumac(Rhus typhina) and their relationship with its clonal reproduction were mainly discussed through sampling the trees randomly and measuring in the lab and at field in this paper for the first time. The results show that:(1) The demorgraphical asymestry that the diameter of the front part of the clonal ramet root in Staghorn sumac is higher than that of the back part become more significant with the time, but there is no correlation between the asymestry and the topography where the Staghorn sumac clonal ramet grow.(2) The correlation between the diameter of the front lateral root of Staghorn sumac and its basal diameter, crown width and height is more significant than that of the back part of the lateral root.(3)The root biomass of a 1～6-year-old of Staghorn sumac, which grown on the barren hills or in the rocky crevice is lower than that of its crown. At the same time, the biomass per 10 cm of the front root is higher than that of the back root. The patterns of biomass is probably crucial for Staghorn sumac to reproduce and to clonize the new habitat. It is the non balance of organic nutrient allocation that make Staghorn sumac to reproduce in a short time. Based on the research results above, Staghorn sumac will become an ecological envasive species in the Northern China.

Key words: Staghorn sumac, Clonal reproduction, Alien species, Lateral roots