The "Lianescent Vascular Syndrome" statistically supported in a comparative study of trees and lianas of Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae. (12th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luizon Dias Leme, Claudia; Pace, Marcelo Rodrigo; Angyalossy, Veronica
• Is Part Of: Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 197:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2021-03-12
• Subjects: climbers -- Clitoria -- Dalbergia -- Dioclea -- Leguminosae -- Machaerium -- self-supporting -- vessel diameter -- vessel density -- wood anatomy -- xylem; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boab015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4074

Abstract

Abstract: Lianas are one of the most iconic elements of tropical forests and their presence is a major feature of these biomes. Here we aim to describe and compare the wood of key genera of Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae comprising both trees and lianas. Thirty-eight species from the genera Machaerium, Dalbergia, Clitoria and Dioclea were sampled to establish the main quantitative features that differentiate lianas and trees, the so-called "Lianescent Vascular Syndrome". Variance analyses were carried out to diagnose the anatomical differences between trees and lianas. Whereas most studies focused on qualitative features, this study focused on a statistical, quantitative comparison of lianas and trees of Papilionoideae, some not previously analysed anatomically. Our results show that lianas are quantitatively different from trees in having wider and more frequent vessels, a higher percentage of axial and radial parenchyma relative to fibres, greater ray height and width and longer fibres, statistically corroborating the "Lianescent Vascular Syndrome".