Leaf Pubescence: Effects on Absorptance and Photosynthesis in a Desert Shrub

The presence of leaf pubescence (leaf hairs) in Encelia farinosa, a desert species of the Composite family, reduces the absorptance of photosynthetically active radiation (400 to 700 nanometers) by as much as 56 percent more than a closely related but nonpubescent species, E. californica, a native o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1976-04, Vol.192 (4237), p.376-377
Main Authors: Ehleringer, James, Björkman, Olle, Mooney, Harold A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorptance
Absorption spectra
Absorptivity
Deserts
Growing seasons
Leaves
Light
Photosynthesis
Plants
Wavelengths
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Summary:The presence of leaf pubescence (leaf hairs) in Encelia farinosa, a desert species of the Composite family, reduces the absorptance of photosynthetically active radiation (400 to 700 nanometers) by as much as 56 percent more than a closely related but nonpubescent species, E. californica, a native of the relatively moist southern California coast. Pubescence in E. farinosa, which increases through the growing season, modifies the leaf energy balance and dramatically reduces the photosynthetic rate. The reduction in the photosynthetic rate is caused by decreased light absorption rather than decreased carbon dioxide conductance through the boundary layer.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.192.4237.376