Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity Creates a “Brown Tide” in Root Phenology and Nutrition

Table 3

Range of dates and average percent crude protein content (by dry weight) of alpine sweetvetch (Hedysarum alpinum) roots (𝑛=112) by phenophase for both mountain (elevation ≥1700 m) and foothills (elevation <1700 m) environments. Phenophase observations and root collection occurred from 2008–2010.

Elevation	Preleaf	Leaf	Bud	Flower	Seed	Dormant
≥1700 m	26 May–17 Jun	04 Jun†	30 Jun–06 Jul	08 Jul–29 Jul	04 Aug–12 Sep	17 Sep–13 Oct
<1700 m	27 Apr–17 Jun	28 May–08 Jun	04 Jun–06 Jul	24 Jun–30 Jul	29 Jul–29 Sep	17 Sep–17 Oct
Crude protein (𝑥^−)	17.0 𝑎^§	17.9 ab	15.8 ab	14.6 b	14.8 b	17.1 a
n	15	6	14	19	40	18
SE	0.51	1.50	0.51	0.54	0.40	0.59

†There was only one observation made of the leaf phenological stage in mountain habitats.
§Unique lower case lettering indicates significant differences in crude protein content.