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LEAF FOLDING IN MIMOSA PUDICA (FABACEAE): A NUTRIENT CONSERVATION MECHANISM?
Author(s) -
Wallace L. L.,
Timpano P.,
Durgin P.
Publication year - 1987
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.1537-2197.1987.tb08587.x
Subject(s) - biology , mimosa pudica , fabaceae , botany , nutrient , leaching (pedology) , plant litter , wax , horticulture , ecology , biochemistry , soil water
Ten plants of Mimosa pudica L. were exposed to artificial rain following anesthesia of the leaves of half of the plants. Anesthetized plants, which no longer displayed the seismonastic response of this species, were hypothesized to show greater rates of foliar leaching of nutrients than their unanesthetized counterparts. Leachate was collected and analyzed for levels of K, Na and Ca. Levels were corrected for the amount of leaf area exposed to rainfall. No differences were noted between treatments for rainfall durations of either 6 or 20 min. Leaf surface morphology was examined and lattice‐like extrusions of epicuticular wax were found. We feel that the leaf surface structure may act to keep raindrops from coming in contact with the surface of the leaf thereby minimizing foliar leaching. It appears that the seismonastic response of the leaves plays only a minor role in nutrient conservation.