Life cycle variation in geophytes

Storage patterns in geophytes are integrated into one general scheme. Two patterns are recognized: geophytes in which flowers and leaves appear simultaneously (synanthous) and geophytes in which flowers and leaves appear in different seasons (hysteranthous). Within each pattern two variants can be recognized, those with annual and those with perennial storage organs. The annual developmental cycle of storage organs, of leaves, and of flowers and seeds characteristic of each type is related to ecological conditions and possible selection pressure. Large perennial storage organs are expected and found in plants of arid unpredictable areas. Hysteranthous leaves are expected to be more frequent in arid unpredictable climates.