Rhododendron is a monophyletic group that inhabits many different climates. One clearly defined diversification was from temperate ancestors into tropical habitats. The focus of this work was to explore leaf and stem anatomical traits in relation to habitat (temperate and tropical) and elevation of the native range. A closely-related group of Rhododendron was selected to reduce variation in genetic history and reveal environment–associated adaptive traits.
Vessel anatomical traits of Rhododendron accessions were assayed for the trade of between safety (protection against catastrophic failure) and efficiency (high theoretical conductivity). Rhododendron wood and vessels were found to be relatively safe. The metrics of wood efficiency were higher for the tropical species. Thus, a trade-off between safety and efficiency was found although the wood of Rhododendron is characterized as highly safe.
Leaf anatomical traits of Rhododendron were assayed for habitat and elevation. Leaves on tropical species were thicker and denser compared with temperate species. Idioblasts were always found in tropical leaves but not in temperate species. Leaves of tropical species were more xeromorphic (drought tolerant) than those of temperate species. Increasing elevation of the native range did not influence leaf anatomical traits.
Idioblast abundance and leaf water relations traits were assayed for tropical Rhododendron species. Idioblast expression varied from 5% to 28% and stomatal pore index varied from 0.08 to 3.3. Idioblast expression was highly correlated with leaf succulence, and water deficit at the turgor loss point. Idioblast expression was positively associated with leaf capacitance for thin (< 0.5 mm) leaves. Thus, idioblasts can serve as a water buffer for relatively thin leaves.
Synthesis–Wood traits of evergreen Rhododendron shrubs reflect adaptation for safety. Although tropical species have significantly higher efficiency, wood safety is still the dominant feature. The implication of high wood safety is constrained water flow and a potential for low water potential. Both leaf succulence and the presence of idioblasts in thin leaves enhances leaf capacitance and provides some buffering against short-term drought. These leaf adaptations in tropical Rhododendron shrubs likely reflect the abundance of epiphytes in this group. / Ph. D. / <i>Rhododendron</i> is a very diverse genus that is found in many different habitats from arctic to tropical. However, most of the species are evergreen with a slow growth rate. The goal of this study was to explore the variation in wood and leaf anatomical traits in order to explain how these plants can succeed in so many different habitats. The vessels in wood of temperate species were found to be very small. Although the size of the vessels increased for tropical species, they were still small relative to many other species. Surprisingly, leaf traits suggested greater drought tolerance for tropical species compared with temperate species. A unique anatomical trait called idioblasts was found only in leaves of tropical species. Idioblasts were very large cells, found just below the upper epidermis, which occupied up to 30% of the leaf volume. Idioblasts were found to help buffer water loss for thin tropical leaves. In summary, <i>Rhododendron</i> wood constrains water flow for plants in all habitats, which will induce water stress in warm or dry areas. Consequently, leaves have drought tolerance traits in tropical regions. Therefore, anatomical traits of wood and leaf help explain how <i>Rhododendron</i> species can occupy a wide diversity of habitats.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/82508 |
| Date | 21 September 2016 |
| Creators | Tulyananda, Tatpong |
| Contributors | Biological Sciences, Nilsen, Erik T., Zink-Sharp, Audrey G., Tholl, Dorothea, Hilu, Khidir W. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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