The Annual Rhythm of Cambial Activity in Two Woody Species of the Greek 'Maquis'

Summary The annual rhythm of cambial activity is compared in Arbutus unedo and Quercus coccifera, two typical shrubs of the maquis in the Mediterranean-type ecosystem of Greece. The growth activity of the species is more or less focused on the favourable periods. The behaviour of Arbutus unedo revealed stronger correlation with moisture conditions, while that of Quercus coccifera seems to be more restricted in time and less controlled by moisture availability. These results indicate that both species, although growing together have different adaptive strategies to the same climatic conditions.