Foliar oil reservoir anatomy and distribution in Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae, tribe Astereae)

In leaves of goldenrod, Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae, tribe Astereae), numerous internal oil reservoirs with a uniseriate epithelium occur as a single file above or below veins or as isolated cavities in the mesophyll. Reservoirs are abaxial to major veins (vein orders 1–3), either above, below, or superimposed in intermediate 4th order veins, but strictly adaxial to 5th and 6th order minor veins. Reservoirs are initiated as discrete cavities, but those below 1st and 2nd order veins are in a single crowded file, each separated only by epithelial cells. Elongation of these cavities, accompanied by stretching and separation of septa, gives a false impression at maturity of an indefinitely long duct instead of a series of tubular cavities. Reservoirs of vein orders 3–6 are mostly more widely separated and less subject to elongation, thus they are shorter and remain discrete at maturity. The overall foliar pattern is one of successively shorter reservoirs, a sequence that is in concert with the successively narrower and progressively less elongated vein orders. The shift from abaxial to adaxial reservoirs in minor veins may be related to different phloem functions: sugar transport in major veins and photosynthate assimilation in minor veins.     

Direct and indirect effects of two herbivore species on resource allocation in their shared host plant: the rhizome galler Eurosta comma, the folivore Trirhabda canadensis and Solidago missouriensis

We examined the effects of the rhizome galling fly, Eurosta comma (Wiedemann), on rhizome mass and nitrogen allocation in a clone of its goldenrod host plant, Solidago missouriensis Nutt. In comparison to ungalled ramets, galled ramets initiated significantly fewer new rhizomes, and allocated less mass to leaves and stems and more to roots. Galled ramets had lower concentrations of nitrogen in roots and rhizomes but leaf and stem nitrogen concentrations were not affected. In the second year of our study, outbreaks of the leaf-eating beetle, Trirhabda canadensis (Kirby), occurred in three of our four study clones, removing ∼20%, ∼50%, and 100% of leaf area from clones 2–4, respectively. In the most heavily grazed clones, the influence of rhizome galls on plant resource allocation was least pronounced. Despite the overwhelming immediate impact of grazing, the presence of a gall population may be important because they decrease the ability of S. missouriensis clones to initiate new rhizomes and hence to recover from defoliation. Received: 28 December 1997 / Accepted: 28 December 1998     

TUBULAR CAVITIES IN WHITE SNAKEROOT,EUPATORIUM RUGOSUM (ASTERACEAE)

Oil-filled schizogenous cavities 0.2-3.0 mm in length, each with a uniseriate epithelium, occur in all organs of white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum). Some epithelial cells swell, thus shrinking or occluding the cavity lumen. Foliar cavities form in staggered files in the midrib and in association with major veins. Cavities are progressively smaller and sparser in successive vein orders; the smallest ones develop as transformed bundle sheath cells in minor veins. Cavities in stems occur in irregular vertical files near vascular bundles in both cortex and pith. Leaf and stem cavities elongate variously, depending on when and where they form; in roots and floral organs, however, cavities are always short and sparse except in bracts, where they are common. Since each cavity remains discrete, we call these internal spaces ‘tubular cavities’ rather than ‘ducts’, which have generally been vaguely defined.     

空心莲子草营养器官结构与三萜皂苷动态积累的关系

采用组织化学定位、显微制片技术和三萜皂苷定量分析方法对空心莲子草营养器官结构与三萜皂苷类物质积累关系进行了研究。结果表明：空心莲子草宿根、根状茎、茎和叶中均有三萜皂苷物质的积累,叶和根状茎内含量十分丰富。在相同采收期内含量依次为：叶＞根状茎＞根＞茎,叶中主要积累于栅栏组织细胞内。空心莲子草的根和根状茎横切面均属于异常结构,具有成同心环状排列的三生维管束。在宿根和根状茎的次生韧皮部、栓内层、三生韧皮部和结合组织内均有三萜皂苷的分布,三生结构在宿根和根状茎中占有主要地位,是三萜皂苷积累的主要场所。在不同采收期内叶、根状茎和根中三萜皂苷的积累趋势基本一致,均随生长期的增加而递增。空心莲子草茎的横切面由表皮、皮层、维管束和髓腔组成,仅部分皮层细胞和初生韧皮部内有三萜皂苷分布。     

Nutrient and biomass allocation in Solidago altissima: effects of two stem gallmakers,fertilization, and ramet isolation

Summary The allocations of biomass, N, P, and K were determined by standard methods in goldenrod ramets (1) parasitized by dipteran and lepidopterous gallmakers, (2) from fertilized and unfertilized plots, and (3) whose rhizome connections to their parental clone were severed. The presence of ball galls and their larvae increased allocation to stem but decreased allocation to leaves and seed production, and reduced the number of new rhizomes. There was a marked magnification of N and P concentrations going up the food chains; from goldenrods to gallmakers to the gallmaker's parasitoid/inquiline guild. Nutrient budgets expressed as flow diagrams indicated that N and P costs of gall presence were similar to energy costs under conditions where nutrients did not limit plant growth. Our data do not indicate that the growth of the galls of these gallmakers is limited by either N or P. Ramets from fertilized plots contained more N and P than controls but decreased the percentage of biomass allocated to leaves and inflorescences; ramets isolated by rhizome-cutting compensated their loss by increased allocation to roots, current rhizomes, and new rhizomes but at a cost of lower allocation to seed production and leaves. Gallmakers have a negative impact on host plant fitness characteristics. This may be especially important to establishing perennial hosts, given that herbivore effects would reduce clonal expansion and hence the ultimate clone size, thereby decreasing lifetime plant fitness.     

Anatomy of the vegetative organs and secretory structures of Rhaponticum carthamoides (Asteraceae)

Roots, stems, rhizomes and leaves of Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin (a Siberian adaptogenic plant, originating from the Altai and Saian Mountains) of different ages were investigated by means of light and electron microscopy. Schizogenous secretory reservoirs occurred in every organ, and were located within the secondary xylem (adventitious roots and rhizome of young plants), at the interface of endodermis/cortical parenchyma (roots and hypocotyl), along phloem and primary xylem (older rhizome), around the vascular bundles (inflorescence stem, petiole and leaf midrib veins) and along phloem (cotyledonary and leaf veins). At the interface of endodermis/inner parenchyma, secretion accumulated in the intercellular spaces prior to the formation of proper epithelial cells. The secretion as observed by transmission electron microscopy comprised three components: soluble (i.e. absent from sections; probably phenolic), insoluble and strongly osmiophilic (probably phenolic) and insoluble, moderately osmiophilic (probably lipidic). Numerous osmiophilic oil droplets, similar to the lipidic secretion inside the reservoirs, local proliferation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous multivesicular bodies characterized epithelial cells in all organs. Leucoplasts (in subterranean organs) with osmiophilic inclusions and peroxisomes with crystalloid inclusions were specific for parenchyma cells. Peltate glandular hairs were formed on leaf blades.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 207–233.     

木贼类营养器官凯氏带类型的新观察

该研究用石蜡切片法比较观察了5种木贼科植物营养器官的内皮层及凯氏带,首次报道了2层内皮层及其凯氏带的形态特征及分布规律,并讨论各种类型的凯氏带及其与厚壁组织的协作防御机制。结果表明:(1)5种木贼的地下茎和根都只有1条凯氏带,其中4种木贼的地上茎有2条凯氏带。(2)木贼类营养器官具有3种凯氏带类型,即2层公共内皮层上各具有1条凯氏带、1层散生内皮层上的1条凯氏带、1层公共内皮层上的1条凯氏带。(3)木贼类地下茎和根都有发达的厚壁组织或致密的表皮。(4)问荆地上茎外侧内皮层具有复合内皮细胞。研究认为,木贼类植物凯氏带数量不能作为分类的依据;地下茎和根虽然只有1条凯氏带,但地下部分都有发达的厚壁组织或(和)与其紧密相连的表皮,推测厚壁组织或(和)表皮可能具有与凯氏带相同的功能;3种类型凯氏带的防御能力由强到弱依次是:2层公共内皮层上的凯氏带 1层散生内皮层上的凯氏带 1层公共内皮层上的凯氏带。     

珍稀植物扇脉杓兰营养器官的解剖学研究

采用石蜡切片技术对扇脉杓兰营养器官的解剖结构进行了研究。结果表明：根状茎的薄壁细胞中含丰富的淀粉粒,维管柱中分布着排列紧凑的周木维管束;根的皮层发达,有的皮层细胞中存在真菌菌丝团,木质部与韧皮部呈辐射状相间排列,根和根状茎的内皮层细胞都形成马蹄形加厚结构。茎的表面分布气孔,皮层面积较小,皮层内部的基本组织发达,外韧维管束散生分布其中,茎和叶上都附有非腺性毛;叶为等面叶,叶肉细胞排列疏松,气孔主要分布于远轴面,略外凸,保卫细胞中含有叶绿体,叶缘处的叶肉组织中含有气腔结构。扇脉杓兰营养器官的这些特征与其荫蔽湿润的生境是相适应的。     

Edaphic environment, gall midges, and goldenrod clonal expansion in a mid-successional old-field

During the middle stage of old-field succession, genets of clonal plants vie to take over space from annual and short-lived perennial plants. We studied factors that may influence the relative rates of expansion of Solidago altissima genets in an old-field population attacked by the gall midge Rhopalomyia solidaginis. Genets growing in more clayey soil expanded more slowly, as evidenced by differences in rhizome growth. Edaphic conditions also affected galling frequencies, with genets in more sandy soil having twice as many galls. Gall midges reduced goldenrod stem growth, and stem height was positively correlated with rhizome growth. For a given stem height, galled ramets allocated relatively more biomass to rhizome growth than ungalled ramets. The end result was that galled ramets produced the same number and sizes of rhizomes as ungalled ramets.     

菰适应湿地环境的解剖和屏障结构特征研究

菰(Zizania latifolia)是一种多年生挺水植物,为了探讨该植物根、茎和叶的解剖结构、组织化学及其质外体屏障的通透性生理。该文利用光学显微镜和荧光显微镜,对菰的根、茎、叶进行了解剖学和组织化学研究。结果表明:(1)菰不定根解剖结构由外而内分别为表皮、外皮层、单层细胞的厚壁机械组织层、皮层、内皮层和维管柱;茎结构由外而内分别为角质层、表皮、周缘厚壁机械组织层、皮层、具维管束的厚壁组织层和髓腔。叶鞘具有表皮和具维管束皮层,叶片具有表皮,叶肉和维管束。(2)不定根具有位于内侧的内皮层及其邻近栓质化细胞和外侧的外皮层组成的屏障结构;茎具内侧厚壁机械组织层,外侧的角质层和周缘厚壁机械组织层组成的屏障结构,屏障结构的细胞壁具凯氏带、木栓质和木质素沉积的组织化学特点,叶表面具有角质层。(3)菰通气组织包括根中通气组织,茎、叶皮层的通气组织和髓腔。(4)菰的屏障结构和解剖结构是其适应湿地环境的重要特征,但其茎周缘厚壁层和厚壁组织层较薄。由此推测,菰适应湿地环境,但在旱生环境中分布有一定的局限性。     

DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY OF JUVENILE AND ADULT SHOOTS OF MARCGRAVIA RECTIFOLIA L

Marcgravia rectifolia L. is a dimorphic vine having distinct juvenile and adult shoots. The juvenile shoot is a climber characterized by an orthotropic growth habit, a flattened stem, adventitious roots, and ovate leaves. The adult shoot, on the other hand, possesses a plagiotropic growth habit, has a cylindrical stem, few or no adventitious roots, and lanceolate leaves. Both phases have distichous phyllotaxy, however the plastochron is shorter for the adult phase than for the juvenile. Internode elongation occurs earlier for adult shoots than for juvenile shoots. Cytological analyses show the flattened stem of the juvenile results from differential production of cells, especially in the pith region. On the other hand, internodes of the adult phase are longer than juvenile internodes, a result of more cells produced rather than longer cells. In juvenile stems a perivascular band of elongated fibers develops, while in adult stems this band consists of brachyosclereids. Both phases undergo secondary growth and have non-storied cambia. Cambial activity begins in the 6th internode of each phase. As secondary growth proceeds, the adult stem produces much more xylem than juvenile stems of the same age. Adventitious roots produced in the juvenile stem are located in vertical rows at the “corners” of flattened stems and are attachment structures aiding the climbing habit of this vine. Phase changes occur regularly in this species. The juvenile phase usually transforms into the adult, however the adult phase can spontaneously revert back into the juvenile phase. The anatomical features and the phase changes are discussed and compared to Hedera helix, a vine whose phase changes have been studied in some detail. It is suggested that the anatomical features of Marcgravia rectifolia L. including its phase changes, may provide an alternative system to study physiological changes similar to those done with Hedera helix.     

Effect of heavy metals on peppermint and cornmint

Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and air is one of the most severe ecological problems on a world scale and in Bulgaria in particular. The biggest sources of pollution in Bulgaria are some non-ferrous metals smelters, such as the Non-Ferrous Metals Combine (NFMC) near Plovdiv, situated on very fertile soils. Vegetable, arable and animal production in this area results in contaminated produce with excessive amounts of Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn and Zn.In order to discover some crops which could be grown on these areas without contamination of the end product, we conducted (in 1991–1993) field experiments in the vicinities of NFMC near Plovdiv. As experimental material we used Mentha piperita L. (cv Tundza and Clone No 1) and Mentha arvensis var piperascens Malinv. (cv Mentolna-14). Plants have been grown on three Plots: Plot No 1-at a distance of 400 m from the source of pollution; Plot No 2-at 3 km from the source of pollution and on a control Plot-in the experimental gardens of University of Agriculture in Plovdiv, at 10 km from the source of pollution. It was established that heavy metal pollution of soil and air at a distance of 400 m from the source of pollution decreased the yields of fresh herbage by 9–16% and the yield of essential oil by up to 14% compared to the control, but did not negatively affect the essential oil content and its quality.Oils obtained from Plot 1 at a distance of 400 m from the source of pollution have not been contaminated with heavy metals.Cultivar response to heavy metal pollution was established. A positive correlation between Pb concentration in leaves and in essential oil was found.Heavy metal concentration in the plant parts was found to be in order: for Cd roots > leaves > rhizomes > stems; Pb roots = leaves > rhizomes = stems; Cu roots > rhizomes = stems = leaves; Mn roots > leaves > stems = rhizomes; Zn leaves > roots > stems = rhizomes.The tested cultivars of peppermint and cornmint could be successfully grown in highly heavy metal polluted areas, as in the area around NFMC near Plovdiv, without contamination of the end product-the essential oils.Despite of the yield reduction (up to 14%), due to heavy metal contamination, mint still remained a very profitable crop and it could be used as substitute for the other highly contaminated crops.     

CLONAL INTEGRATION: NUTRIENT SHARING BETWEEN SISTER RAMETS OF SOLIDAGO ALTISSIMA (COMPOSITAE)

To test whether sharing of resources occurs among connected ramets of the tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima, we examined the extent of clonal integration for nutrients. In a greenhouse experiment, two-ramet clones were grown in a triad of connected pots so that nutrients could be supplied to either sister ramet or to their old rhizome (mother rhizome). Mother rhizomes and their associated roots shared nutrients with daughter ramets; however, any nutrient sharing that occurred between sister ramets was too little to significantly affect their growth. In addition, sister ramets not only competed for nutrients through parental connections, but larger ramets inhibited the growth of smaller ramets. We suggest that, for tall goldenrod, a clonal growth strategy in which nutrients are not shared among sister ramets may increase genet fitness by reducing the rhizome production of ramets in poor-nutrient microsites. Consequently, the genet would produce relatively fewer ramets in unfertile areas and make better use of heterogeneous nutrient resources.     

Host-plant genotype and other herbivores influence goldenrod stem galler preference and performance

Ecologists have labored to find an explanation for the lack of a positive correlation between host preference and offspring performance in herbivorous insects. This study focuses on how one herbivore species can influence another herbivore species’ ability to accurately assess the suitability of different host-plant genotypes for larval development. In particular, we examined the role that an early season xylem-feeding homopteran (meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius) has on the preference-performance correlation of a late-season dipteran stem galler (Eurosta solidaginis) among different goldenrod genotypes. In a greenhouse, we released adult stem gallers into replicate cages that contained ramets from four different goldenrod genotypes crossed with three densities of spittlebugs (0, 1, or 8 nymphs placed 2 weeks previously on each ramet). Spittlebug feeding caused a density-dependent decline in ramet growth rates, which in turn caused a corresponding decrease in host-plant preference by the stem gallers (number of ovipunctures per bud or proportion of ramets attacked). Goldenrod genotype and the interaction between spittlebugs and genotypes also influenced host-plant preference by the stem galler. Goldenrod genotype had the greatest impact on stem galler offspring performance (gall size or survivorship). Spittlebug density also affected performance, but only through its interaction with goldenrod genotype. On some genotypes, the survivorship of stem-galler larvae decreased with increasing spittlebug density, while on other genotypes, survivorship remained unchanged, or actually increased, with increasing spittlebug density. This suggests that there was genetic variance among goldenrod genotypes in their norms of reaction for their suitability as a host to the stem gallers. One possible explanation for why spittlebugs caused a significant reduction in preference, but not in performance, was that spittlebugs had very few long-term effects on the host plant. Flower number, flowering phenology, and the allocation of the ramet’s biomass to different structures (below-ground organs, stems, leaves, and flowers) were unchanged with respect to spittlebug density. The only effect of spittlebugs was a 3–4% decrease in ramet height at the end of the growing season. We argue that the lack of a positive correlation between host-plant preference and larval performance may reflect a constraint on the discriminatory ability of female stem gallers. The damage to goldenrods caused by spittlebugs prior to attack by the stem gallers is similar in effect to potentially innumerable other causes of goldenrod stress (e.g., reduction in ramet growth rates). As a consequence, stem gallers may not be able to discern the subtle differences among stresses that identify those that will negatively affect the fitness of stem-galler offspring. The fact that goldenrod genotypes differ in their response to stresses would only further complicate the host-selection process. We propose that the stem gallers may have evolved a strategy that uses simple cues as the basis for rejecting similarly stressed plants, whether all of those plant genotype-stress combinations reduce performance or not. Received: 26 January 1999 / Accepted: 2 June 1999     

Function of spiral grain in trees

Summary Through spiral grain, conduits for sap lead from each root to all branches. This uniform distribution of sap is indicated by the paths of vessels and tracheids, and has been proven experimentally by means of dyed sap injected into the base of stems or taken up by roots. Trees receiving water only from roots at one side of the root collar nevertheless stay green and continue growing. Spiral grain in bark distributes food from each branch to other flanks of the stem and to most roots. Experimental interruptions of the sap and food conduits caused the cambial zone to reorient new conduit cells in new directions, bypassing the interruption. In particular, spiral grooves cut into the stem surface caused spiral grain. The new cells reorient through division and growth. Although spiral grain is largely under genetic control, trees appear to have a spiral grain especially where needed for distribution of water when root spheres are dry at one side. Compared with straight-grained trees, spiral-grained stems and branches bend and twist more when exposed to strong wind, in this way offering less wind resistance and being less likely to break. Through the bending and twisting, snow slides down from branches rather than breaking them, but the main function of spiral grain is the uniform distribution of supplies from each root to all branches, and from each branch to many roots.     

Fate of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus, the Causal Organism of Bacterial Ring Rot of Potato, in Weeds and Field Crops

Crops and weeds were tested for their ability to host Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms), the causal agent of bacterial ring rot in potato. Ten crops grown in rotation with potato in Europe, namely maize, wheat, barley, oat, bush bean, broad bean, rape, pea and onion and five cultivars of sugar beet were tested by stem and root inoculation. About 6–8 weeks after inoculation, Cms could be detected in most crops except onion and sugar beet, in larger numbers in stems (10⁵–10⁶ cells/g of tissue) than in roots (≤10³ cells/g of tissue) in immunofluorescence cell‐staining (IF). Cms was successfully re‐isolated only from IF‐positive stem samples of maize, bush bean, broad bean, rape and pea, but not from roots. Twelve solanaceous weeds and 13 other weeds, most commonly found in potato fields in Europe, were tested in IF as hosts of Cms by stem and root inoculations. Only in Solanum rostratum, a weed present in northern America, Cms persisted in high numbers (10⁸ cells/g tissue) in stems and leaves, where it caused symptoms. In the other solanaceous weeds, Cms persisted at low numbers (approximately 10⁵ cells/g of tissue) in stems but less so in roots. The bacteria could be frequently re‐isolated from stem but not from root tissues. In 2 consecutive years, plants from 14 different weed species were collected from Cms‐contaminated potato field plots and tested for the presence of Cms by dilution plating or immunofluorescence colony‐staining (IFC), and by AmpliDet RNA, a nucleic acid‐based amplification method. Cms was detected in roots but not in stems of Elymus repens plants growing through rotten potato tubers, and in some Viola arvensis and Stellaria media plants, where they were detected both in stems and roots, but more frequently by AmpliDet RNA than by IFC.     

Wood and bark anatomy of lianoid Indomalesian and Asiatic species of Gnetum

Quantitative and qualitative data on wood and bark are offered for 11 species of lianoid Indomalesian and Asiatic species of Gnetum section Cylindrostachys. Material of roots was studied for two species, material of an underground stem for one species, and stem material was studied for all species; wood from inside and outside of a large stem of G. montanum was analysed (quantitative data do not change with age in this species). Roots have shorter, narrower vessel elements, more numerous per mm², compared with those of stems; these trends run counter to those in dicotyledons. Roots and underground stems have more abundant parenchyma and less abundant sclerenchyma than do stems. Parenchyma of both roots and stems is rich in starch. All of the species studied here have both fibre-tracheids and tracheids, but tracheids are not distributed vasicentrically as they are in dicotyledons. Tori are reported for tracheary elements of three species studied here. Vasicentric axial parenchyma (which usually is thick-walled) is present in all species; thick or thin-walled diffuse or diffuse-in-aggregates apotracheal parenchyma is present in almost all of the species studied. Rays are mostly dimorphic in size, but show various conditions with respect to wall thickness, sclerenchyma presence, and crystal presence. As in other lianoid species of Gnetum, the species of the present study show origin of lateral meristem activity in parenchyma of the innermost cortex. Cortex and bark of the species studied here are relatively uniform in distribution of gelatinous fibres, nests of sclereids, the cylinder of brachysclereids that extends around the stem, and sclerenchymatous phelloderm. Laticifers were observed in bark of only two species studied. Although a few species characters are evident, the species that comprise Section cylindrostachys differ from each other mostly in degree rather than in presence or absence character state distributions. Secretory cavities are newly reported for the genus.     

Development of aerenchyma in roots and rhizomes of Carex rostrata (Cyperaceae)

Aerenchyma development in Carex rostrata was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens were collected at two locations in southern Finland. Examination showed the beginning of aerenchyma development in the cortex of roots at the distance of 30–45 mm from the apex and it was fully developed at 75–90 mm from the apex. First, schizogenous cavities were formed in the cortex, and the sequence continued with a collapse of tangential cell walls in the cortex, leaving radial strands of cells intact and leading to a structure resembling a cobweb in cross section. In the rhizomes some of the radial cell walls disintegrated in the cortex, resulting in radial rows of cells without any tangential connections. No diaphragms were observed in the rhizome. There were no direct contacts between the gas spaces of the roots and the rhizomes. The significance of aerenchyma for metabolic processes is discussed.     

Origin and nature of vessels in monocotyledons. 5. Araceae subfamily Colocasioideae

Tracheary elements from macerations of roots and stems of one species each of five genera of Araceae subfamily Colocasioideae were studied by means of SEM (scanning electron microscopy). All of the genera have vessel elements not merely in roots, as previously reported for the family as a whole, but also in stems. The vessel elements of stems in all genera other than Syngonium are less specialized than those of roots; stem vessel elements are tracheid-like and have porose pit membrane remnants in perforations. The perforations with pit membrane remnants demonstrate probable early stages in evolution of vessels from tracheids in primary xylem of monocotyledons. The vessel elements with such incipient perforation plates lack differentiation in secondary wall thickenings between perforation plate and lateral wall, and such vessel elements cannot be identified with any reliability by means of light microscopy. The discrepancy in specialization between root and stem vessel elements in genera other than Syngonium is ascribed to probable high conductive rates in roots where soil moisture fluctuates markedly, in contrast with the storage nature of stems, in which selective value for rapid conduction is less. Syngonium stem vessels are considered adapted for rapid conduction because the stems in that genus are scandent. Correlation between vessel element morphology and ecology and habit are supported. Although large porosities in vessel elements facilitate conduction, smaller porosities may merely represent rudimentary pit membrane lysis.     

Relationship of Auxin Transport to Branch Dimorphism in Cordyline, a Woody Monocotyledon

Lanolin containing ³H-IAA was applied to apical cut ends of stem segments and decapitated plants of Cordyline terminalis, a monocotyledon possessing true secondary growth. Distribution of extracted label showed that: 1) in horizontal stems up to 7 times as much label accumulates in the lower surface compared to the upper surface, and this ratio increases with distance from the cut apical surface; 2) in upright stems most label (62%) occurs in the cambial and cortical regions, external to the primary and secondary vascular tissues; and 3) in upright stems having the cambium and cortical regions removed by a girdle, label accumulates above the girdle (c. 10 times greater than the control). These data are in accord with a theory of branch dimorphism derived from morphological studies, which suggested that high auxin levels initiate and maintain rhizomes and low levels initiate leafy shoots.