Assessment of wind and mammal mediated seed dispersal of sericea (Lespedeza cuneata)

Abstract

The invasive legume Lespedeza cuneata threatens native grasslands due to its strong competitive ability and high seed production. Seed size and shape suggest that wind and attachment to animals is not important for dispersal, yet populations can spread surprising distances within a few years. Using a series of experiments we tested the effectiveness of wind and mammal fur as mediators of seed dispersal. Our results show that wind disperses seeds farther than expected and that seeds readily attach to mammal fur suggesting that both contribute to the movement of L. cuneata across grasslands.