How weak twining lianas adapt to competition with host tree trunks: Case of Merremia boisiana.

ABSTRACT: Fierce competition exists between most stem-twining lianas and the trunks of host trees. However, Merremia boisiana, a vigorous invasive twining liana, never strangles the host tree. Here, we investigated how M. boisiana stems adjust their twining growth to avoid intense competition with host trees, and how hydraulic conductivity is maintained for rapid asexual reproduction. We evaluated the effects of competition on twining M. boisiana stems (E_m) and host tree trunks (E_h), compared differences in secondary growth between twining and creeping M. boisiana stems, calculated the total number of vessels (N_t), vessel density (Vmm^-2), average vessel diameter (VD_ave), and percentage of vessels wider than 300 μm in

SUBMITTER: Hu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8975785 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature