Increasing leaf sizes of the vine <i>Epipremnum aureum</i> (Araceae): photosynthesis and respiration.

ABSTRACT: The canopy leaves of allomorphic aroid vines can exceed 2,000 cm², up to 30 times larger than respective understorey leaves. In the literature, this allomorphic increase in leaf area of aroid vines was hypothesized to improve its light foraging capacity. The viability of these large leaves depends on carbon acquisition obtained from their larger area and on the respective costs of production, maintenance and support. To evaluate and understand how leaf enlargement affects performance, we analyzed the photosynthesis and respiration of Epipremnum aureum leaves of different sizes via photosynthetic response light curves, morpho-physiology and anatomical parameters. Leaf size was increased by varying growth direction (horizontal vs. vertical) and light conditions (low

SUBMITTER: Brito C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11974542 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature