Dataset from: Parapatric and sympatric adaptation of Setaria viridis populations in Japan to heterogeneous coastal habitats via trait divergence of plant form, salt spray tolerance and flowering time

<p>This study aimed to determine how coastal variants of<em> </em>plants arise from local populations under natural selection by studying variations in phenotypic variations and survival of <em>Setaria viridis</em> populations inhabiting mosaic environments of two seashores in Japan. <em>S.viridis</em> populations comprised five coastal variants showing significantly higher salt spray tolerance than the inland variant: ST, short and tolerant (common variant); TM, tall and mid-tolerant (Inland Sea); TT, tall and tolerant; PT, prostrate and tolerant; L, extremely late flowering; I, inland and susceptible variants. These variations imply that maritime plants first acquired salt spray tolerance for survival, after which compact plants evolved in habitats where strong winds caused damage from salt spray. Results indicate that diverse intensities of salt spray and winds as well as summer drought generated various coastal variations in parapatry and sympatry.</p>