Flowering associated with leaf flush

Title

Flowering associated with leaf flush

Definition

A phenological strategy in which a tree drops its leaves, flowers when the canopy is leafless or partially leafless, and flushes new leaves after flowering or flowers at about the same time that new leaves are flushed; i.e., there is some association between flowering and leaf fall and flush.

Notes

In the Lecythidaceae, there are three flowering strategies in regard to leaf drop and flush and their relationship with flowering. The first strategy is when tree flowering and leaf drop and flush do not seem to be related (e.g., most species of Eschweilera; in the second strategy, a tree drops its leaves, flowers, and then flushes new leaves after flowering has occured (e.g., all pink-flowered species of Couratari); and the third strategy is when a tree drops its leaves and flushes new leaves and produces flowers at about the same time (e.g., Lecythis poiteaui).

Related Terms

Anthesis

Flowering not associated with leaf flush