[Ecological and biological characteristics of Wikstroemia indica]

Wikstroemia indica was the common shrub with medicine use in subtropical and tropical zones. The studies on the biological and physiological characteristics, population dynamics, biomass, nutrient composition of Wikstroemia indica showed that Wikstroemia indica was widely dispersed over hilly lands and opened forests. It was heliophytes and grew well on improverished soil. Its average photosynthetic rate and conductance were 7.33 mumolCO2.m-2.s-1 and 0.042 molH2O.m-2.s-1, respectively. The weighted nutrient concentration of Wikstroemia indica were N 0.667%, P 0.081%, K 0.540%, Ca 0.776%, and Mg 0.259%, respectively, and the medicine ingredient was Wikstroemine C16H12O5. Due to morphological difference, the competitive power on energy and nutrient of Wikstroemia indica was less than that of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Wikstroemia indica population decreased, while Rhodomyrtus tomentosa increased on shrubby grass land during early successional stage. Wikstroemia indica could be planted to increase its biomass to exploit medicine use.