Variation in leaf attributes and their effects on physiological processes in Leucospermum conocarpodendron L. Buek

Two subspecies of Leucospermum conocarpodendron with considerable variation in leaf traits occur along the Cape Peninsula along clearly delimited geographical distributions. We attempted to quantify the difference in leaf trait dimensions between green (L. conocarpodendron ssp. viridum) and grey (L. conocarpodendron ssp. conocarpodendron) individuals. Leaves from grey individuals are shown to have higher reflectance across the entire photosynthetically active region (PAR) and greater stomatal density. Leaves from grey individuals were found to have higher specific leaf area (SLA] and a greater size boundary layer. We found no correlation between the transpiration rate and stomatal density, size of the boundary layer and hairiness. We hypothesize that the leaf traits are having an effect on rate of photosynthesis and subsequently determining growth strategy of each type. Grey individuals, because of increased reflectance from the leaves are able to persist throughout summer in hot, dry conditions, although they may suffer the cost of reduced photosynthetic rate during late winter and early summer when conditions are relatively mild. Green individuals are able to start growing earlier due to higher SLA and increased rate of photosynthesis but are not able to persist for as long as the grey individuals during mid to late summer. Finally we argue that adaptation to edaphic environment may be associated with subsequent shifts in flowering phenology.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Skelton, Robert

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Midgley, Jeremy J

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25579

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/25579