Correlations between leaf economics, mechanical resistance and drought tolerance across 41 cycad species.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the functional traits of leaves (leaflets) of cycads. The aim of this study was to clarify the functional divergence between the earlier origin Cycadaceae and the later differentiated Zamiaceae, and the differences in trait associations between cycads and angiosperms.

Methods

We selected 20 Cycadaceae species and 21 Zamiaceae species from the same cycad garden in South China, and measured their leaf structure, economic traits, mechanical resistance (Fp) and leaf water potential at the turgor loss point (πtlp). In addition, we compiled a dataset of geographical distribution along with climatic variables for these cycad species, and some leaf traits of tropical-sub-tropical angiosperm woody species from the literatur

SUBMITTER: Meng YY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9486883 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature