Genetic variation of liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis Schreb.) in Bavaria against the background of seed transfer guidelines in forestry and restoration

Pollination and seed dispersal seem mainly to happen within populations of the myrmecochorous H. nobilis, whereas long-distance dispersal is presumably occasional and random. Our study supports the relevance of dispersal traits for seed collections used in conservation. The protection of historically old beech and oak forests is exceedingly important to preserve the genetic variation of H. nobilis in Bavaria.