Correlation between Sex Stages and Leaf Numbers in Arisaema tosaense Makino (Araceae)

Arisaema tosaense Makino develops either 1 or 2 leaves during both the male and female phases. To clarify the relationship between growth stage (sexual stage) and leaf number in this species, we conducted morphological analysis using A. tosaense, A. japonicum Bulme, A. sikokianum French. & Sav., and A. ringens (Thunb.) Schott. We found that increase in size of pseudostem of these Arisaema species is correlated to changes in the growth stage from sterile to male and from male to female phases. In particular, 1-leaf individuals of A. tosaense appeared at the beginning of both male and female phases, suggesting that they contribute to the earlier appearance of the fertile phase from sterile stages