Unable to connect to database - 01:58:36 Unable to connect to database - 01:58:36 SQL Statement is null or not a SELECT - 01:58:36 SQL Statement is null or not a DELETE - 01:58:36 Botany 2008 - Abstract Search
Unable to connect to database - 01:58:36 Unable to connect to database - 01:58:36 SQL Statement is null or not a SELECT - 01:58:36

Abstract Detail


Developmental and Structural Section

Fisher, Jack B. [1].

Seedlings in a fire prone community bury their buds by axis contraction after germination.

To document repositioning of seedling buds, selected perennials (20 dicotyledons and one cycad) native to the fire-prone pine rocklands of South Florida were germinated and measured for 4-5 mo. Height of the cotyledonary node above the soil decreased because of axis contraction or bending in eight species. Anatomy suggested that two mechanisms operate: (1) production of G-fibers (= tension wood fibers) in six species (all Fabaceae); and (2) collapse of parenchyma cells in two species (Convolvulaceae and Zamiaceae). Contraction or bending of the hypocotyl and/or taproot moved the cotyledonary and later buds of the seedling closer to the soil surface or buried them. Other species have little or no hypocotyl elongation, thus keeping the cotyledonary node at soil level. These mechanisms may protect the lateral buds and/or the shoot apex from injury by fire or other environmental stresses and allow resprouting.


Log in to add this item to your schedule

1 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 11935 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, 33156-4299

Keywords:
root growth
root contraction
fire adaptation
Tension wood
seedling growth and development
gelatinous fiber
hypocotyl.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 4
Location: 212/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 4009
Abstract ID:365


Copyright © 2000-2008, Botanical Society of America. All rights