Convergence in leaf size versus twig leaf area scaling do plants optimize leaf area partitioning?

• Published in: Annals of botany Vol. 119; no. 3; pp. 447 - 456
• Main Authors: Smith, Duncan D., Sperry, John S., Adler, Frederick R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.02.2017
• Subjects: absorption; Acer - anatomy & histology; Acer - physiology; Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum; Amelanchier alnifolia; Betula - anatomy & histology; Betula - physiology; Betula occidentalis; Biomechanical Phenomena; branches; canopy gaps; Cornus - anatomy & histology; Cornus - physiology; Cornus sericea; economics; leaf area; leaves; Models, Biological; Original; ORIGINAL ARTICLES; Plant Leaves - anatomy & histology; Plant Leaves - physiology; Plant Stems - anatomy & histology; Plant Stems - physiology; Populus - anatomy & histology; Populus - physiology; Populus fremontii; Rosaceae - anatomy & histology; Rosaceae - physiology; Symphoricarpos - anatomy & histology; Symphoricarpos - physiology; Symphoricarpos oreophilus; economics; intraspecific; optimization; Corner’s rule; leaf size; Allometry; light interception; self-shading

Background and Aims Corner’s rule states that thicker twigs bear larger leaves. The exact nature of this relationship and why it should occur has been the subject of numerous studies. It is obvious that thicker twigs should support greater total leaf area (Atwig) for hydraulical and mechanical reaso...