Role of plant functional traits in providing invasiveness to hyptis suaveolens L POIT and assessment of its ecological impacts

Abstract

The present study investigated the impacts and mechanism of Hyptis suaveolens invasion, with a focus on the role of germination, phenology, and functional traits in enhancing the invasiveness of the species. Seed size dimorphism had a substantial effect on germination and phenological processes of the plant. Variability in functional traits at the inter-population level further aided in the adaptation of the species in response to changing environmental conditions. Hyptis suaveolens caused homogenization of the invaded areas, which can be attributed to the allelopathic and cytotoxic potential of the leaves. The study concluded that seed size dimorphism, functional trait variations, and allelopathy aid in the adaptation of H. suaveolens in invaded areas, where it causes detrimental ecological and socio-economic impacts. newline