Heat accumulation in hollow Arctic flowers: possible microgreenhouse effects in syncalyces of campions (Silene spp. (Caryophyllaceae)) and zygomorphic sympetalous corollas of louseworts (Pedicularis spp. (Orobanchaceae))

Kevan, Peter G.

doi:10.1007/s00300-020-02772-6

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The involucral bracts, well known in many Asteraceae, enclose air spaces that likely become warm and protect the inflorescence within. Similarly, the large leaves of sub-antarctic and high mountain megaherbs have also been suggested to form air-filled spaces that function as microgreenhouses, heating, and protecting the blossoms developing within (Little et al 2016 1, row 30) (below) (see Kevan 2020).…”

Section: Bractsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, plants, although apparently static and passive, show remarkable capacities to regulate their internal temperatures by a complex variety of strategies. Those include solar heating, as in diaheliotropic solar furnaces (Kevan 1989), microgreenhouse effects (Kevan et al 2018;Kevan 2019aKevan , 2019bKevan , 2020, metabolic endothermy (van der Kooi et al 2019) and concomitant cooling by evapotranspiration (as noted above and referred to as the swamp cooler effect (Galen 2006)), paraheliotropism and adaptive morphogenesis (Crawford et al 2012). Thus, plants, although apparently static and passive, show remarkable capacities to regulate their internal temperatures by a complex variety of strategies.…”

Section: Process and Productmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heliocaminiform structures: plant organs that function as microgreenhouses

Kevan,

Coates

2024

FACETS

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Plant structures that enclose trapped air are morphologically and taxonomically diverse. They range from pubescence (trichomes) on various parts of plants to flowers, inflorescences, stems, culms (above-ground jointed stems of grasses), petioles, peduncles, scapes, fruits, bracts, leaves, galls, algal pneumatocysts, moss sporophytes, lichen podetia, and fungal fruiting bodies. Despite being familiar, such structures have not been studied systematically until recently when their complex thermodynamic functionality as microgreenhouses has been recognized. We propose the term “heliocaminiform” (Greco-Latin origin for “sun-room”) provides an umbrella term that describes form and function. Almost all the hollow structures we have examined have elevated internal temperatures of several degrees C above the surrounding air in sunshine, but those are abolished under cloud or at night. The potential importance for the additional heat is presumed to be in growth, maturation, reproduction, sexual function, and overall fitness of the plants. There seem to be no experimental studies on those effects even though they may help explain aspects of plants’ responses to climate change and to phenological mismatches with symbionts (mutualists and herbivores) as ecologically co-dependent partners. Our review and observations opens a remarkably new and hitherto surprisingly neglected avenue in botany which we hope others will explore.

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Section: Bractsmentioning

confidence: 99%