Dynamic shoot morphology in root‐climbing Araceae: Philodendron rudgeanum Schott and Ph. fragrantissimum (Hook.) G.Don

Abstract

Dynamic shoot morphology in root-climbing Araceae: Philodendron rudgeanum SCHOTT and Ph. fragrantissimum (HOOK.) G.DoN With 1 I Figures and 5 Tables S u m m a r y Shoot organization, branching patterns and growth cycle were studied in natural populations of two herbaceous, root-climbing lianas, philodendron rudgeanurn and Ph. fragrantissirnum, occurring in remnant areas of moist tropical forest in the Brazilian States of Pernambuco and Alagoas. The shoot architecture of both species is based on a repeating pattern of primary modules, each involving the successive transformation of flagelliform shoots into stolons and then root-climbers. Significant differences in the detailed modular construction of the two species were also observed. A comparision of the two species is made with Monstera adansonii var. klotzschiana, growing in the same habitat.

What drives the vital rates of secondary hemiepiphytes? A first assessment for three species of Heteropsis (Araceae) in the Colombian Amazon

“…In contrast, the canopy species had a low probability of vegetative propagation on unsuitable hosts, while almost none was found on suitable ones. This type of vegetative propagation was described for other aroids (Andrade & Mayo 1998, 2000; Ray 1976, 1992). In the three Heteropsis species, this behaviour seems more a dispersion-propagation strategy to find a suitable host than a growth strategy to increase the size of the genet (Balcázar-Vargas et al 2012, Ray 1976).…”

“…Secondary hemiepiphytes reproduce sexually once they have reached a threshold size or height on the host, which implies that small host trees are not suitable (Balcázar-Vargas et al 2012). Some species are also capable of vegetative reproduction (Andrade & Mayo 1998, 2000; Ray 1976, 1992), which can be a strategy to encounter a suitable host after falling from or climbing in an unsuitable host (Balcázar-Vargas et al 2012). Like lianas, secondary hemiepiphytes can survive after falling down from a tree (Balcázar-Vargas et al 2012, Peñalosa 1984, Putz 1984), an ability that distinguishes them from most other rain-forest plants.…”

Colonization of forest clearings and tree-fall gaps in lowland rain forests of Colombia by hemiepiphytic aroids: experimental and transect studies

“…For aroids, analogous to the lateral spread of lianas (Peñalosa 1984, Putz 1984), flagellar shoots might facilitate the lateral invasion of open space, such as man-made forest clearings or tree-fall gaps (Andrade & Mayo 1998, 2000). Indeed, the apical growth of flagellar aroids in forest edges (mean of 98 cm per 14 mo) would permit such plants to reach a clearing or tree-fall gap within a few years.…”

“…In many aroids, creeping stems and descending shoots exhibit abrupt morphological changes by becoming flagellar (Ray 1992). Flagellar shoots (showing internodes that are c. 35 times as long as wide) may have rapid growth and are seen not only as a mechanism to forage for essential resources, but also to multiply and disperse meristems clonally into newly available habitats (Andrade & Mayo 2000, Balcázar-Vargas et al 2012, Ray 1992).…”

No second chances: demography from the forest floor to the canopy and back again

“…The orthotropic vertical branches below the split and, therefore, the oldest branches are the ortet, and the branches above the orthotropic split are the ramet (Appendix S1). K2 entails the production of a flagellar shoot to the ground; the new shoot eventually climbs onto another host and splits off from the original individual (Appendix S1B; Ray ; Andrade & Mayo , ; Balcázar‐Vargas et al . ).…”