短命植物是生活于极端干旱自然环境,利用冬春雨雪水在春末夏初迅速完成生活周期,并以种子形式渡过不良环境的特殊生态类型,它们具有生长发育快、光合效率高、繁殖率和结实性极强的特点.本文从短命植物种子萌发机制、形态结构适应性、高光效结构特征、结实特性、生活周期的可塑适应性等方面,对新疆早春短命植物的相关研究进行综述,以阐释短命植物适应荒漠环境的特殊机制.
Ephemeral plants (or short-lived plants) are a group of plant species which are able to complete their life cycle quickly and successfully at the end of spring or the beginning of summer by using the availa ble melting snow and rain water,and then get through the harsh environment in the form of seeds,they exhibit lots of special characteristics,such as fast growth and development,high efficiency of photosynthesis, strong capability of reproduction and seed setting,etc.. A review on ephemeral plants of the previous stud ies was performed,mainly focused on following aspects seed germination mechanism, adaptability of mor phology and structure, structure of high photosynthesis efficiency, powerful seed setting ability, plasticity of life cycle,etc. ,it is expected to preliminarily explain the special adaptability mechanisms of ephemeral plants to desert habitats in Xinjiang.