Life history traits and mechanisms of endangerment inRanalisma rostratum

Ranalisma rostratum (Alismataceae) is an endangered aquatic plant, and now there is only one population existing in China. In its natural habitat, Huli marsh in Chaling, Hunan province, the best growing plants have been observed at microsites where the water depth is 5∼10cm, and the plants grow in emergent form.R. rostratum reproduces asexually or sexually. The recruitment of asexual propagules into population is a very important way to maintain the natural population size. Although seed production does not appear to limitR. rostratum, restricted dispersal of propagules and seeds, low seed viability, low germinability, slow growth of seedlings under all conditions, and habitat loss due to agriculture appear to be more important reasons for the endangerment of this plant. Supported by the national Natural Science Foundation of China Wang Jianbo: born in 1964, Ph. D, Associate professor