Leaf growth dynamics and leaf quality of Dendrocnide moroides (Wedd.) and Dendrocnide cordifolia (L.S.Sm.) Jackes and Hurley varied widely with age, season, plant height and habitat. Although leaves were produced continuously, growth rates varied seasonally. Leaf moisture and nitrogen content increased in spring and summer and decreased with age, while toughness increased with age. All leaf growth attributes varied with height, with the majority of activity occurring on mid-sized plants. Leaf growth rates and proportions of different leaf age classes were similar for both species. Leaves were larger and lived longer in shade. Size and longevity responded rapidly to changing light conditions, reflecting their ability to survive in small rainforest gaps. Leaves of all ages were highly nutritious and the exceptionally nutritious young leaves were abundant throughout the year making them susceptible to herbivore attack. However, immature stinging tree leaves were densely covered with painful stinging hairs and hair density decreased with age. Further to causing pain, stinging hairs of D. moroides and D. cordifolia are shed continuously and may deter mammalian herbivores by causing allergic reactions. However, the leaves of stinging trees appeared better suited to the rapid colonisation of rainforest gaps, than in fending off or avoiding herbivore damage.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Zoology
Research Field:	Invertebrate biology
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences
UTAS Author:	Hurley, M (Dr Marina Hurley)
ID Code:	19193
Year Published:	2000
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Agricultural Science
Deposited On:	2000-08-01
Last Modified:	2022-07-08
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