Howie, Composites (which are usually yellow flowering) tend to bloom in late summer and fall. This may be an ancient vestige of their origination in South America (see Bremer 1994. Asteraceae). Or it may be that composites are often adapted to more xeric environments than the average flowering plant. In western North America, the summer and fall are increasingly dry for the msot part.
Patrick Foley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Howie Neufeld wrote: > Dear All - I have been asked by a colleague if I know why yellow flowers > seem to predominate in the fall, especially in open habitats, and I said > I don't have any good theories at this time. Does anybody out there > know about or have any theories? > It could also be that yellow doesn't really dominate, but that > certain species (goldenrods for example) are simply super abundant and > they flower in the fall and "appear" to dominate. > Thanks! > Howie Neufeld > >
