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Leaf axil anatomy and bud reserves in 21 Myrtaceae species from Northern Australia
Citation
Burrows, GE and Hornby, SK and Waters, DA and Bellairs, SM and Prior, LD and Bowman, DMJS, Leaf axil anatomy and bud reserves in 21 Myrtaceae species from Northern Australia, International Journal of Plant Sciences, 169, (9) pp. 1174-1186. ISSN 1058-5893 (2008) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2008 http://www.press.uchicago.edu
DOI: doi:10.1086/591985
Abstract
Dormant axillary buds allow plants to repair minor damage to their canopies. In woody plants, these buds
subsequently develop into epicormic structures that mayallow vegetative recovery after major disturbances. They
are an essential but little-studied part of the persistence niche.We wondered what bud reserves were present in the
leaf axils of northern Australian myrtaceous species, what levels of protection they have, and how this relates to
the ecology of these species. Axillary buds of 21 species from 10 genera of northern Australian Myrtaceae were
examined anatomically. All species possessed axillary buds in all axils examined, and accessory buds were
recorded in 86% of species. The species exhibited an extremely wide range of variation—from axillary buds that
consisted of only an apical dome with no leaf primordia (Calytrix exstipulata) to axils with a complex array of
accessory buds and meristems located beneath the axil surface (Corymbia and Eucalyptus). The axils of the
Eucalyptus and Corymbia species had a greater number of and better protected axillary buds and meristems than
the other species studied, including some of their closest relatives, Arillastrum, Allosyncarpia, and Stockwellia.
All investigated species had an excellent meristem reserve for recovery of photosynthetic capacity after minor
canopy damage and for developing epicormic structures for sprouting after more severe damage. The complex
and well-protected axillary bud or meristem structures of Corymbia and Eucalyptus may be an important
component of the success of these genera in Australia.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | axillary, leaf axil, accessory, bud, meristem, Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus, Corymbia. |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecology |
| Research Field: | Terrestrial ecology |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Terrestrial biodiversity |
| UTAS Author: | Prior, LD (Dr Lynda Prior) |
| UTAS Author: | Bowman, DMJS (Professor David Bowman) |
| ID Code: | 55188 |
| Year Published: | 2008 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 36 |
| Deposited By: | Plant Science |
| Deposited On: | 2009-03-06 |
| Last Modified: | 2015-02-07 |
| Downloads: | 10 View Download Statistics |
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