Questions About Plant Stems
- Which stem would you predict has higher
water transport efficiency? That is, which stem has wider
xylem vessels, resulting in higher water flow rates per
cross sectional area? Stem A = Malosma laurina;
Stem B = Ceanothus megacarpus
- Which stem would you predict has greater
mechanical strength? That is, which stem has woody xylem
that has greater resistance to breakage? Stem A = Malosma
laurina; Stem B = Ceanothus megacarpus
- Which stem would you predict is more
drought-tolerant? That is, which stem would undergo
greater dehydration before it either dies or fails to
transport water? Stem A = Malosma laurina; Stem B
= Ceanothus megacarpus
- Which stem comes from a chaparral species
having the deepest roots and the highest water status?
Stem A = Malosma laurina; Stem B = Ceanothus
megacarpus
- Which stem is more expensive or costly to
construct? That is, which stem has more carbon
(construction cost) invested in the same volume of
tissue? Stem A = Malosma laurina; Stem B = Ceanothus
megacarpus
- Both of these stems are from species of
chaparral shrubs that grow side by side? Which is better
adapter to survive and recover from periodic wildfire?
Stem A = Malosma laurina; Stem B = Ceanothus
megacarpus