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DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES IN SMILAX (LILIACEAE). I. ORGANOGRAPHY AND THE SHOOT APEX
Author(s) -
Martin Ben F.,
Tucker S. C.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1985.tb05345.x
Subject(s) - biology , habit , ontogeny , botany , shoot , meristem , apex (geometry) , tunica , liliaceae , psychology , genetics , psychotherapist
The ontogeny of the shoot and the tendril‐bearing leaf was studied in four species of Smilax which differ considerably in growth habit. Growth is indeterminate in S. bona‐nox, S. rotundifolia, S. laurifolia and determinate in S. pumila. Shoot apical organization in all four species is consistent with the tunica‐corpus concept. The number of tunica layers varies from 2 in S. bona‐nox, S. pumila , and S. rotundifolia to 3 (2–4) in S. laurifolia. A primary thickening meristem was observed in 5. laurifolia. Shoot tip abortion involving a cessation of vegetative growth resembling that found in many woody plants occurs in S. pumila. Even though there are distinct differences in growth habit, vigor, and anatomy, the four species share many developmental similarities. Hence, subtle changes in apical ontogeny may be associated with marked differences in habit.