Notes on the natural history of Cakile edentula var. lacustris in northern Michigan.

Abstract

Overall, my observations of the concentration of C. edentula plants at or near the driftline support the theories of this plant's dispersal by water. Further, I found that smaller individuals are typically situated in more open and hence more severe habitats, while larger plants are usually in more sheltered microhabitats. Flowering phenology seems to coincide with these microhabitats since smaller plants flower and fruit sooner than the larger plants. Some of my findings, such as the dark markings on the adaxial leaf surfaces, and the bent fruits, appear not to have been mentioned in the literature. It would be interesting to conduct some additional studies on these characteristics. Further, studies of the possible migration of C. edentula to the shore of Lake Superior could give insight into the post-glacial migrations of the shoreline vegetation of the Great Lakes.