three ecological types of plants
mesophytes
xerophytes
hydrophytes
mesophytes
require moderate amounts of water
xerophytes
adapted to low levels of water
hydrophytes
adapted to high levels of water
eudicots leaves in sun vs shade
major veins
minor veins
netted (reticulate) venation
in a typical eudicot leaf
-mesophyll divided into subregions called areoles
a paradermal secttion
vascular tissue
evergreen angiosperm leaves
different leaf habitat
stays on plant of the winter
leaf abscission
steps of leaf abscission
environmental signal
Photoperiod more reliable
Temperature can also influence
Warm temperatures in fall can inhibit onset, especially in non-native species
retrieval
Plant recovers as many soluble nutrients as possible eg. Mg+2, sugars, amino acids
Stores in parenchyma in stem
Some minerals not mobile
ie. not retrievable eg. Ca+2
abscission layer formation
New thin-walled parenchyma cells form at base of petiole
From dedifferentiating parenchyma
Cell walls of pre-existing cells also begin breaking down here
Forms an even break line
protective layer formation
Another layer forms to the inside of the abscission layer
Is suberized to prevent or minimize water loss and pathogen entry
Creates a leaf scar on the stem
vascular disconnection
Vessels in midrib of petiole still open Leaf may hang on for a time Nearby xylem parenchyma produce outgrowths that enter pits of vessel Is to seal off vessels Outgrowths called tyloses Can see bundle scars within leaf scars
fall colors in deciduous leaves
A shorter photoperiod and cooler temperatures initiate leaf fall
Chlorophyll broken down by light all summer, but is not replenished in fall
Fat soluble carotenoids more resistant
In some species, water soluble anthocyanins are produced de novo in vacuole
Other plants always contain anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are increased with cold nights and sunny days
morphology
blade/lamina
-flattened portion
petiole
leaf stalk
sessile
no petiole