Evolution and Function of Leaf Venation Architecture: A Review

The leaves of extant terrestrial plants show highly diverseand elaborate patterns of leaf venation. One fundamental featureof many leaf venation patterns, especially in the case of angiospermleaves, is the presence of anastomoses. Anastomosing veins distinguisha network topologically from a simple dendritic (tree-like)pattern which represents the primitive venation architecture.The high degree of interspecific variation of entire venationpatterns as well as phenotypic plasticity of some venation properties,such as venation density, indicate the high selective pressureacting on this branching system. Few investigations deal withfunctional properties of the leaf venation system. The interrelationshipsbetween topological or geometric properties of the various leafvenation patterns and functional aspects are far from beingwell understood. In this review we summarize current knowledgeof interrelationships between the form and function of leafvenation and the evolution of leaf venation patterns. Sincethe functional aspects of architectural features of differentleaf venation patterns are considered, the review also refersto the topic of individual and intraspecific variation. Onebasic function of leaf venation is represented by its contributionto the mechanical behaviour of a leaf. Venation geometry anddensity influences mechanical stability and may affect, forexample, susceptibility to herbivory. Transport of water andcarbohydrates is the other basic function of this system andthe transport properties are also influenced by the venationarchitecture. These various functional aspects can be interpretedin an ecophysiological context. Copyright 2001 Annals of BotanyCompany Review, leaves, leaf venation, evolution, network, transport, flow, mechanical stabilization