Biomechanics and functional morphology of a climbing monocot

AoB Plants
Linnea HesseChristoph Neinhuis

Abstract

Plants with a climbing growth habit possess unique biomechanical properties arising from adaptations to changing loading conditions connected with close attachment to mechanical supports. In monocot climbers, mechanical adaptation is restricted by the absence of a bifacial vascular cambium. Flagellaria indica was used to investigate the mechanical properties and adaptations of a monocot climber that, uniquely, attaches to the surrounding vegetation via leaf tendrils. Biomechanical methods such as three-point bending and torsion tests were used together with anatomical studies on tissue development, modification and distribution. In general, the torsional modulus was lower than the bending modulus; hence, torsional stiffness was less than flexural stiffness. Basal parts of mature stems showed the greatest stiffness while that of more apical stem segments levelled off. Mechanical properties were modulated via tissue maturation processes mainly affecting the peripheral region of the stem. Peripheral vascular bundles showed a reduction in the amount of conducting tissue while the proportion and density of the bundle sheath increased. Furthermore, adjacent bundle sheaths merged resulting in a dense ring of fibrous tissue. Although F...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 9, 2016·Scientific Reports·Linnea HesseJan Gerrit Korvink
Dec 1, 2017·Plant Cell Reports·Jason N BurrisC Neal Stewart
Feb 2, 2017·Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology·Tom MasselterThomas Speck
Feb 12, 2020·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Isabella FiorelloBarbara Mazzolai
Apr 19, 2018·Frontiers in Plant Science·Mariane S Sousa-BaenaLúcia G Lohmann
Mar 6, 2018·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Wei WangSung-Hoon Ahn

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