We need a multidimensional view of the plant reproduction continuum

Sexual reproduction produces genetic variation, which is key for adaptations, whereas vegetative reproduction implies the replication and separation of ramets. Such a difference has deep implications for individual fitness and trait evolution and affects organismal responses to environmental changes at different spatio‐temporal scales. Within the plant realm, there is massive variation in reproduction strategies and structures, with individuals and species that can reproduce both sexually and vegetatively, but oftentimes the two reproduction types are studied in isolation. Here, we argue for the need to examine plant reproduction as a multidimensional functional continuum involving both reproduction types. We propose a trait‐based conceptual framework able to capture the reproduction continuum comprehensively. We identify four main functions (mating, dispersal, persistence, emergence) forming the continuum, with examples of traits associated with these functions, and expected trade‐offs between them. We also show how we envision the continuum using three plant species with markedly different reproduction strategies. With a case study of ~400 plant species from three temperate biomes, we explore how the reproduction continuum may operate. We focus on a selection of traits related to sexual (seed germination) and vegetative (clonality and resprouting) reproduction. Findings are largely context‐dependent yet highly interpretable; we reveal a coordination of sexual and vegetative traits that we infer being dependent upon environmental drivers and spatio‐temporal scales. Synthesis . Plant reproduction constitutes a multidimensional aspect of plant life, with different functions and associated traits contributing to shape it, and the proposed conceptual framework offers a way to capture such multidimensionality. Our view of the reproduction continuum aligns with the increased recognition of the importance of looking at plant strategies through a multifaceted lens, if we are to more accurately estimate and predict the variety of species distributions, forms and functions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.