CHARACTERISTICS OF SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT OF STENOCEREUS STELLATUS (CACTACEAE) IN THE TEHUACÁN VALLEY, MEXICO

Some characteristics of germination and seedling establishment of Stenocereus stellatus, a columnar cactus that has vegetative propagation and sexual reproduction, were determined through field and laboratory experiments with seeds collected at 2 sites. Germination and seedling establishment varied between sites. Seedling survivorship also was affected by solar radiation. Different intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics, such as genetic variation, seed predation, and rainfall, could affect the successful establishment of this species. Vegetative propagation might be a complementary mechanism to sexual reproduction that contributes to population persistence.