Abstract: In this study , we present an investigation of the reproductive performance of two populations of Polygonum viviparum (Polygonaceae) in the Hengduan Mountains of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Two populations were deliberately selected at the same elevation but with different habitats , alpine scree and alpine meadow, respectively . Our results show that the plant height and the bulbil number from the population in alpine scree are significantly lower than those in alpine meadow, but total number of bulbils and flowers, flower number and flower proportion of each inflorescence are obviously higher
than those in alpine meadow, indicating that more resources are probably allocated to reproduction organs and flowers under harsh environments like alpine scree, and P. viviparum sets priorities of reproduction over vegetative growth , and sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction . Furthermore , we also find a significantly negative relationship between flower number and bulbil number , suggesting the trade-off between sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction in this species .

Key words: Polygonum viviparum