Transcript Morphology 3 - University Of Georgia

Tropical Morphology
How Plants Adapt Rain Forest
Leaf
Structures
Rain Management
The University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
About The Author
• Dr. Paul A. Thomas
– Professor of Floriculture
– Department of Horticulture
– The University of Georgia
– Extension Specialist
– Really into Photography!
Learning Objectives
• 1. Understand that there are two main strategies leaves
exhibit for managing rainfall: Channeling water away from the
plant, and channeling water to the plant root system.
• 2. Be able to describe why some plants capture rainfall in leaf
structures that look like cups, or nests, and how other
creatures that live in the rainforest take advantage of those
structures.
Water Channels
Almost all tropical plants
that live in rainforests
have leaf features that
channel or direct water.
This banana leaf shows
how extensive this
channeling can be.
Some plants channel water towards the plant
root system, to ensure roots are moist.
Working together, many leaves can capture
almost all the rain falling near the plant.
Plants such as this Ginger, have rigid leaves that
collect and channel water, but also drain the
leaves quickly to reduce chances of disease.
As you can see, rainforest plants can take this
adaptation to surprising levels.
Drip Tips
Drip Tips reduce leaf
surface area and
facilitate droplets
forming, allowing
gravity to drain away
excess water easily.
Rainforest ferns
employ drip tips
on each leaflet,
and also apply
the same
principle to the
entire leaf.
structure.
Most palm leaves have leaflets that
allow wind to pass through the leaf, yet also
channel water away from the plant.
Waxy, Thick Leaves
There are many, many
rainforest plants combine
thick waxy leaves and
channels and drip tips to
can help repel moisture.
Some plants, such as epiphytic bromeliads,
direct water to their centers, and hold it
there to attract pollinators
What strategies does this plant employ?
Summary
We have seen that there are several
adaptations, or morphological features that
Rainforest plant leaves have to manage
rainfall. This includes leave channels, drip tips
and heavy waxy leaves.
The over-riding reason to remove water
quickly from a leaf in a Rainforest is disease
prevention.
Assessment Opportunity
• Explain the three main strategies plant leaves
have developed to remove water qwuickly
from their leaves. Do any plants in your
backyard emply the same strategies?
• Can you think of any other potential designs
for leaves that might improve upon removing
water quickly from a leaf surface?
For Future Exploration
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/n
ewsid_8049000/8049850.stm
• http://www.eduweb.com/rain/rain-east.html
• http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/tropr
ain.htm