The establishment, growth, phenology and longevity of two species of Helianthemum in the Negev Desert Highlands, Israel

The hills of the Negev highlands, west of Sede Boqer, are typically covered by various half-shrub communities, including the deciduous species of Helianthemum vesicarium Boiss., an Irano-Turanian element that grows only on north facing slopes, and H. ventosum Boiss., a Saharo-Arabian element which grows on both slopes but mainly on those facing south. Upon irrigation, plants of H. vesicarium preserve their natural rhythm of activity during winter and remain deciduous throughout the summer. On the other hand, under a similar irrigation treatment, the growth and flowering season of H. ventosum is modified and is extended well into the summer. Thus, H. ventosum shows a high phenological plasticity, while H. vesicarium seems to be very conservative. The different response of the two species to an improved water regime may partly explain the differences in their natural habitats: H. vesicarium on the more humid north facing slopes and H. ventosum mostly on the more arid and extreme south facing ones. Plants of both species which grow near boulders attain larger sizes and denser stands than those on the slopes. Age analysis based on xylem ring counts of 859 plants of the two natural populations showed that the plants did not exceed 14 years and most of them reached the age of some 5 years only. In general more seedlings are established during rainy year-clusters than during dry ones. However, no direct correlation between seedling establishment and the annual rainfall of specific years could be found. The rapid turnover of plants in the stands of both species of Helianthemum resembles the behavior of desert annuals rather than that of most desert shrubs.