Controlling for Curvature in the Quantification of Leaf Form

Studies of angiosperms have associated the mechanical design of petioles with leaf form and the occurrence of simple and compound leaves. Petiole anatomy can respond differently, according to different leaf forms, to maintain plant architecture. The present study evaluated whether this premise applies to fern leaf architecture. Leaves of five ferns (Blechnum binervatum (Poir.) C.V. Morton & Lellinger, Ctenitis falciculata (Raddi) Ching, Megalastrum connexum (Kaulf.) A.R. Smith & R.C. Moran, Microgramma squamulosa (Kaulf.) de la Sota, and Serpocaulon catharinae (Langsd. & Fisch.) A.R. Sm.) from a remnant of an Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil were collected and their morphological and anatomical traits were analyzed. Results indicate that the biomechanical patterns of these terrestrial and epiphytic ferns are similar to those reported for angiosperms, except for the presence of subepidermal sclerenchyma in fern petioles. Independently of leaf form, the rigid structure of fern petioles appears to be an important adaptation to biomechanically support leaf position for maximum light interception in forest understories.

Download Full-text

CYTOKININ-GIBBERELLIN REGULATION OF SHOOT DEVELOPMENT AND LEAF FORM IN TOBACCO PLANTLETS

American Journal of Botany ◽

10.1002/j.1537-2197.1973.tb05949.x ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 491-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Alvin L. Engelke ◽

Hamzi Q. Hamzi ◽

Folke Skoog

Keyword(s):

Shoot Development ◽

Leaf Form

Download Full-text

Morphological analysis of the Grevillea ilicifolia complex (Proteaceae) and recognition of taxa

Australian Systematic Botany ◽

10.1071/sb03026 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 327 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Trisha L. Downing ◽

Marco F. Duretto ◽

Pauline Y. Ladiges

Keyword(s):

Arid Regions ◽

Morphological Analysis ◽

Spanning Trees ◽

New South ◽

South Australia ◽

Minimum Spanning Trees ◽

Leaf Form ◽

South Wales ◽

Western Victoria ◽

Lobed Leaf

A morphological study of herbarium and field-collected specimens, using phenetic techniques of agglomerative classification, ordination and minimum spanning trees, and covering the geographic range of the Holly Grevillea, G.�ilicifolia (R.Br.) R.Br. sensu lato, has resulted in the recognition of three species and four subspecies. The taxa are based on leaf form, noted by previous authors to be highly variable between populations. The taxa recognised here are G.�ilicifolia, G.�ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia (typical, kite-shaped leaf form), G.�ilicifolia subsp. lobata (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (oak-shaped leaf form), G.�dilatata (R.Br.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (fan-shaped leaf form), G.�angustiloba (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov., G.�angustiloba subsp. angustiloba (narrow-lobed leaf form) and G.�angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis T.L.Downing subsp. nov. (very narrow-lobed leaf form). The rank of subspecies is used where there are some intermediate plants between forms. Grevillea ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia is the most widespread taxon and occurs in South Australia, western Victoria and in two localities in New South Wales. Grevillea angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis has the most restricted range, occurring in semi-arid regions near Wirrega in South Australia. Grevillea dilatata is largely endemic to Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Download Full-text